Man jailed for causing fire and explosion in Glasgow.

Scott Peden, aged 30, has been sentenced today at the High Court in Glasgow, to 6 years and 4 months imprisonment after admitting culpable and reckless conduct and the production of a controlled drug.

At around 2250 hrs on Monday 21 March 2016, emergency services attended a report of an explosion and fire in Fairburn Street. Nearby residents were evacuated from flats in the area and a number of people were taken to hospital. 5 people were hospitalised for a number of days to receive treatment for serious injuries.

Detective Inspector David Stewart, Shettleston CID, said today: “When emergency services attended at the scene of the incident at Fairburn Street they were faced with scenes of absolute carnage. There were a number of injured people at the scene following the explosion which had ripped through the front window of the tenement. Over 50 firefighters worked tirelessly to tackle the flames. A number of individuals required hospital treatment and a number of others were temporary evacuated to allow for the structure of the building to be assessed.

“Following a dedicated enquiry, involving specialist officers and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, it was determined that Peden had been manufacturing a concentrated cannabis derivative known as ‘Shatter’ or ‘Butane Honey Oil’. The dangers of this process are well documented considering the manufacturing process. Butane gas was passed over herbal cannabis in a pressurised environment. A number of other butane canisters were stored in the flat. An explosion followed as a result of his idiocy.

“I cannot emphasise enough the stupidity of his selfish actions. It borders on the miraculous that his neighbours, his friends within the flat and Peden himself were not more seriously injured, or indeed killed, as a consequence. The sentence handed down today reflects the gravity of his crimes.

“As police officers, we cannot turn back the clock and pretend that this knowledge has not been freely available online for years. The consensus amongst the cannabis community is clear – ‘Shatter’ or ‘Butane Honey Oil’ makes little to no sense for suppliers or for users looking to experiment.

“It is relatively expensive as it requires a lot of herbal cannabis to make a small amount of the substance. As this case clearly demonstrates, the manufacturing process is incredibly unstable and can often end very badly for those involved.

“Anyone who suspects or who has direct information relating to drugs manufacturing or distribution can contact Police Scotland via 101.

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