Just before 3pm on Thursday October 21, 1971, a massive gas explosion ripped through the shopping precinct at Clarkston Toll on the south side of Glasgow.
Twenty died and more than 100 were injured, many of them seriously.
A strong smell of gas had been reported the day before and repair work had been carried out.
On the afternoon of the blast, gas board inspectors and workers were checking the repair when the row of shops along the Busby Road erupted with the force of a 300lb bomb.
The car park above the shopping terrace collapsed with more than 20 vehicles adding to the debris.
A passing double-decker bus was also caught by the blast.
Passers-by started to rescue the injured until the emergency services arrived.
More than 100 police officers and 20 fire brigade units and every available ambulance in Glasgow were called to the scene.Most of the victims were young female shop assistants and housewives doing their shopping.

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