A council is facing prosecution over a carbon monoxide leak at a school which left dozens of pupils sick and led to a major evacuation.
The poisonous gas seeped into Balmuildy Primary School in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow, from a boiler in the middle of a school day in February 2020, leaving panicking parents rushing to rescue their children when the alarm was raised.
Almost 400 children and staff fled the campus during the incident, which insiders described as a lucky escape.
Bungling bosses at East Dunbartonshire Council reported themselves to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) over missing safety paperwork at the school in the aftermath of the leak.
But now the investigatory body has completed its probe, with insiders claiming the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has been told to take action over the blunder.
Dozens of pupils fell ill and began vomiting before emergency services rushed to the school, which was shut while repairs were made.
Less than two weeks later, pupils at nearby Wester Cleddens Primary were ordered out after a new alarm picked up traces of carbon monoxide.
And another East Dunbartonshire school, Craigdhu Primary in Milngavie, evacuated pupils a day after when fumes were detected from a boiler room on the campus.
Insiders claim the leak at Balmuildy is likely to result in a large fine for the council.
A source said: “The council admitted it couldn’t find the paperwork that rubberstamps the use of the boiler with a safety check.
"These boilers are about 25 years old and the HSE investigation found water damage on the boiler from flooding in the last few years. That could have damaged the electrics.
“The other two boilers had the correct paperwork but, after the council put in detectors, it showed they weren’t working properly. So are the boilers safe?”
The HSE said: “We submitted a report to the Crown and can’t comment further.”
The COPFS said: “We’ve received a report in relation to Balmuildy Primary School and it’s under consideration.”
Ann Davie, of East Dunbartonshire Council, said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on this ongoing matter but I can confirm all EDC boilers are safe, inspected and maintained in accordance with the relevant legislation.”
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