UPDATE: East Dunbartonshire Council is now facing over 30 civil damages claims from families after a serious carbon monoxide leak at Balmuildy Primary School in Bishopbriggs. The alarming incident, which occurred in 2020, has raised urgent concerns about child safety and health standards in local schools.
Earlier this year, the council admitted to breaches of health and safety legislation and was fined in criminal courts. Despite claiming to maintain a “rigorous safety monitoring regime,” the council is contesting these civil claims from affected families who have expressed deep concern over the potential long-term health impacts of carbon monoxide exposure.
Parents have voiced their distress, revealing that their children showed signs of illness in the weeks leading up to the evacuation. One parent shared, “To think that for weeks they sat in a building, due to gross negligence, inhaling fatal levels of carbon monoxide. We were told it was only through ‘sheer luck’ there were no fatalities.” This sentiment reflects a growing anxiety among parents, many of whom feel guilt over unknowingly putting their children in harm’s way.
Another parent described receiving an urgent call to pick up her son, recalling, “At first he seemed okay, but once we got home he became very unwell—sickness, headaches, dizziness.” The diagnosis at the hospital confirmed carbon monoxide poisoning, leading to frustration over the council’s failure to conduct regular safety checks.
A third parent condemned the council’s “shocking failure to ensure the safety of children,” stating, “This level of negligence could have resulted in a tragedy. Parents are appalled.” An investigative report shared with families details significant gaps in essential safety inspections across Balmuildy Primary and other schools within the council’s jurisdiction at the time of the incident.
Thompsons Solicitors, representing the families, emphasized that these claims reflect widespread concern not only about the incident but also about the overall safety measures in council-run schools. Parents are demanding accountability and transparency from the local authority.
In response, Ann Davie, chief executive of East Dunbartonshire Council, stated, “As soon as it was brought to our attention, the gas boiler was decommissioned, and the HSE was contacted along with other relevant external agencies.” She claimed that comprehensive measures were implemented to ensure the safety of all staff and pupils.
Davie insisted that parents were kept regularly informed through text messages and emails, and a public meeting was held to address concerns. She reiterated the council’s commitment to a rigorous monitoring regime but did not comment on the ongoing litigation.
As families brace for the legal proceedings ahead, the emotional toll of this incident continues to weigh heavily. The situation remains developing, and parents are anxious to learn how the council will address these serious safety concerns moving forward.
For those affected, this crisis has transformed into a fight for justice, accountability, and a commitment to safeguard the health of their children in the future. Further updates are expected as legal proceedings unfold.
