Two critical after church centre blast

TWO workmen were in a critical condition in hospital last night after an explosion at a church building.

Homes up to half a mile away shook as the blast ripped through Newmains Pastoral Centre in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, a former retreat for an order of nuns.

Signs had been put up around the disused building on Monday, warning of new surveillance after it was set on fire and targeted by local thieves in recent weeks.

The workmen were taken to the specialist burns unit at Glasgow Royal infirmary with serious injuries.

They had been removing asbestos from the building before it faced demolition.

The Archdiocese of Glasgow had hired contractors Enviraz to shift the dangerous material.

Father Jim Thomson said: “It is too early to say what happened but this is a very specialised firm. The work they do involves ensuring the building is isolated and the asbestos is not dispersed into the air.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were hurt in this accident.”

Security firm boss David McAdam, 47, was evacuated from his home next door to the building. He said: “I heard this massive blast.

“It was obviously an explosion of some kind. I have never experienced anything like it before.”