Relatives and survivors sat in the community centre in Glasgow's Maryhill yesterday, yards from the scene of the explosion which destroyed their lives four years ago.

Relatives and survivors sat in the community centre in Glasgow's Maryhill yesterday, yards from the scene of the explosion which destroyed their lives four years ago.

On day one of the public inquiry into the ICL blast, they sat together with politicians and trade union representatives. On May 11, 2004, they had gathered in the same hall, anxiously waiting for news of the rescue operation.

Lord Gill opened proceedings with a minute's silence for "reflection and prayer for those who died or were injured and those who mourn".

Patricia Ferguson, MSP for Maryhill, and Ann McKechin, MP for Glasgow North-West, sat in silence with families of the deceased as a series of statements from some of the survivors were read out.

Earlier, they had arrived in small groups at the hall, which became the hub for the bereaved and those still waiting for news as the operation continued for four days after the tragedy.

They listened as inquiry counsel, Roy Martin, read out the names of those who lost their lives and those who were injured in the blast.

He detailed the events of May 11, 2004, and described the rescue operation and subsequent criminal proceedings against the company.

Those present then watched a police and fire service video, outlining the huge operation conducted by the emergency services.

ICL Plastics and ICL Tech were fined a total of £400,000 after they admitted breached of health and safety legislation relating to a corroded pipe and a build up of LPG gas which led to the explosion.