High-rise flats in Glasgow’s Laurieston were reduced to rubble in just 10 seconds.

The Glasgow Housing Association 23-storey double block at 54 and 66 Norfolk Court - once home to 276 families - was razed in a controlled blowdown.

The demolition is part of the planned regeneration of the area which will take place in a number of phases over the next few years.

Laurieston is one of eight areas in Glasgow known as Transformational Regeneration Areas (TRAs) which have been earmarked for major regeneration. Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) and New Gorbals Housing Association are working in partnership with Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government to develop and implement the plans.

Phase 1 of the Laurieston regeneration, on a site to the south of the Norfolk Court multi-storey flats, will consist of 200 new homes for affordable rent.

The site of the Norfolk Court multi-storey which was demolished today will be developed in later phases of the regeneration programme.

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GHA’s Executive Director of Development and Regeneration Alex McGuire said: “The demolition of Norfolk Court is another step in the regeneration of this area.

“We’re working with our partners to create new homes and communities in Laurieston that people will want to live in for years to come.

“I’d like to thank all of the local residents and businesses for their cooperation both before and after the blowdown.”

The double block which was demolished is comprised of two single blocks, each with 138 flats, half of them one-bedroom and the other half two-bedroom.

The decision to demolish the block, which was built in 1973, was taken by GHA in 2007 following extensive consultation with the community.

The residents from the block have all been moved to other homes in the Gorbals or to other areas of their choice.

The blowdown was commissioned by GHA and carried out by contractor Safedem.

Around 500 people in the surrounding area were evacuated from 8am and an exclusion zone put in place. A centre was set up for any residents who needed somewhere to go with refreshments provided.

Around 2800 explosive charges were used. The clear-up operation will take around 16 weeks. Almost 20,000 tonnes of rubble will be recycled. Around 90% of the materials from the block will be recycled - the bulk of it on other parts of the site as part of the planned new-builds.

The demolition of Norfolk Court follows the blowdown of two multi-storey tower blocks at nearby Stirlingfauld Place in 2008.

Safedem Managing Director William Sinclair said: “We’ve built up a successful relationship with GHA over the past three years. During this time we’ve brought down 14 blocks throughout Glasgow.

“It requires a real team effort and everyone has pulled together to make this another safe and successful blowdown.”

(GK/KMcA)