The blast in Larkhall happened three days before Christmas 1999

Utility company Transco has gone on trial on charges arising from an explosion that killed a family of four.

John Findlay was giving evidence on the deaths of Andrew and Janette Findlay, Stacey, 13, and Daryl, 11, in Larkhall, South Lanarkshire.

Transco has pleaded not guilty to breaching health and safety laws over the explosion in 1999.

Jurors at the High Court in Edinburgh have been warned that the hearing could take at least six months.

It took 15 minutes to read the charges which were brought following the blast three days before Christmas.

I just looked up and there were houses with holes everywhere, roofs off. It was just like a war zone John Findlay Andrew Findlay's brother

The allegations centre on the firm's maintenance, repair and record keeping procedures, particularly related to its ductile iron piping.

It is alleged that a section of the main at Larkhall was corroded and was leaking.

It is also alleged that on 22 December, 1999 quantities of gas escaped from the main, entered the foundations of the house and formed a gas cloud which ignited and exploded.

The judge, Lord Carloway, warned jurors that they were in for what he said would be a "long haul".

Mr Findlay's brother, who lived half a mile away from the couple's home on Carlisle Road, described to the jury how he was wakened from a heavy sleep in the early hours of the morning of 22 December "with a bang".

Lots of debris

It was as if a car had crashed into the metal door of a garage, he said.

John Findlay told the court: "I threw something on and jumped into my car. On the main street there was a lot of debris.

"I turned the corner and saw the end of a settee sitting in the middle of the road.

"I just looked up and there were houses with holes everywhere, roofs off. It was just like a war zone."

Asked by Advocate Depute Frank Mulholland if there was anything left of 42 Carlisle Road, Mr Findlay replied: "Nothing. Just a mass of rubble".

Tampering questions

Mr Mulholland commented: "It has been five years since the explosion. What effect has this had on the family?"

Mr Findlay said: "It will never be the same. Besides being my brother he was my best friend. My life will never be the same. My mother was in pieces".

Earlier Mr Findlay had told the jury that his brother was a joiner, who ran his own building business.

The advocate depute asked him if his brother was the type of person who might tamper with gas pipes.

Mr Findlay replied: "No, he knew too many people in the trade. He did them favours. He would have asked them. I don't think he would do that".