End of an era as 40 year-old flats gone in 3 seconds

IT only took three seconds to turn one of the Capital’s oldest tower blocks into 7000 tonnes of rubble.

The 15-storey Capelaw Court had been a landmark on the city’s skyline for 40 years before yesterday’s carefully controlled demolition.

Hundreds turned out to see the ‘eyesore’ building blasted into smithereens to signal the start of a 10 million regeneration project. The towerblock is making way for 240 new homes.

Images of the spectacular explosion were also beamed around the world, courtesy of the National Geographic channel.

The 16-strong demolition team, which included Britain’s only female explosives expert, Holly Bennet, used 35kg of explosives and 1000 non-electrical detonating charges across five blast floors to level the tower in Oxgangs.

Before the blast at midday yesterday, the demolition team sounded a siren to scare off birds nesting in the disused building.

One cheeky spectator wearing a kilt and a ‘see you Jimmy’ hat, with the word ‘Freedom’ printed on his back caused some alarm before the blast when he leapt over a barrier and ran towards the condemned building.

But the joker ran away and out of sight of police and stewards supervising the demolition.

Another two streakers - one wearing a black thong and the message ‘Hi Mum’ scrawled on his back and a companion, sporting grey pants and the words ‘place your ads here’ - also tore past the tower block just before the explosion.

However police said the demolition had gone without a hitch and that no arrests had been made.

The 1960s block of flats was razed to the ground as part of a 10m regeneration schemew. It is one of three tower blocks in the area earmarked for demolition over the next 18 months.

When it was first built, the development was praised for its views across the city to the coast.

However, after years of residents’ complaints about dampness, crumbling plasterwork and cracks in walls, it was earmarked to be knocked down.

Heather Levy, of Firrhill Community Council, who has lived in the area for 42 years, said: "I’ve some fantastic memories of the Oxgangs multis, such as the great community spirit there. Like many residents though, I’m delighted that regeneration has started and real change for a new future can begin to take place."

The remaining two blocks, Caerketton Court and Allermuir Court, will be demolished over the coming months.