This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7711126.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
'Fireball risk' in airport attack 'Fireball risk' in airport attack
(30 minutes later)
Gas cylinders allegedly used in an attack on Glasgow Airport would have created a "large fireball" had they exploded, a London court has heard.Gas cylinders allegedly used in an attack on Glasgow Airport would have created a "large fireball" had they exploded, a London court has heard.
If the canisters packed in a Jeep had blown up, strips of metal, nails and screws would have been fired over a wide area, Woolwich Crown Court heard.If the canisters packed in a Jeep had blown up, strips of metal, nails and screws would have been fired over a wide area, Woolwich Crown Court heard.
Instead, the containers burned like "blowtorches" making them hard for fire crews to extinguish, jurors were told.Instead, the containers burned like "blowtorches" making them hard for fire crews to extinguish, jurors were told.
Dr Mohammed Asha, 28, and Dr Bilal Abdulla, 29, deny conspiracy to murder.Dr Mohammed Asha, 28, and Dr Bilal Abdulla, 29, deny conspiracy to murder.
The pair, both employed by the NHS, also deny charges of causing explosions relating to the alleged attempted car bombing in the summer of 2007.The pair, both employed by the NHS, also deny charges of causing explosions relating to the alleged attempted car bombing in the summer of 2007.
NHS sheetsNHS sheets
Jurors in their trial heard evidence from a forensic scientist who studied the remains of the Jeep Cherokee used in the alleged plot.Jurors in their trial heard evidence from a forensic scientist who studied the remains of the Jeep Cherokee used in the alleged plot.
David Halliday said that among other items, he found 10 petrol bombs crafted from soft-drink bottles and NHS sheets and pillows, ripped up to act as wicks.David Halliday said that among other items, he found 10 petrol bombs crafted from soft-drink bottles and NHS sheets and pillows, ripped up to act as wicks.
He added the items smelled strongly of petrol and contained a small quantity of liquid, which was part petrol, part water, with a small amount of oil.He added the items smelled strongly of petrol and contained a small quantity of liquid, which was part petrol, part water, with a small amount of oil.
The presence of propane cylinders has contributed to the severity of fire David Halliday, forensic scientistThe presence of propane cylinders has contributed to the severity of fire David Halliday, forensic scientist
But he told the jury he could not say with confidence whether they were Molotov cocktails, devices made with petrol and oil to make a stickier flammable liquid on impact.But he told the jury he could not say with confidence whether they were Molotov cocktails, devices made with petrol and oil to make a stickier flammable liquid on impact.
The oil could have been washed into the bottles by the fire crews' hoses, he told the court.The oil could have been washed into the bottles by the fire crews' hoses, he told the court.
Mr Halliday also inspected the four liquid petroleum gas canisters after the incident.Mr Halliday also inspected the four liquid petroleum gas canisters after the incident.
He found only the top of the cylinders had been fully exposed to fire, and therefore had not exploded, the court heard.He found only the top of the cylinders had been fully exposed to fire, and therefore had not exploded, the court heard.
He said: "Clearly, in the circumstances that prevailed in Glasgow Airport, the presence of propane cylinders has contributed to the severity of fire.He said: "Clearly, in the circumstances that prevailed in Glasgow Airport, the presence of propane cylinders has contributed to the severity of fire.
"It is possible in some circumstances for propane cylinders to burst in a fire. The effects of that are that the cylinders rupture, breaking into one or more large piece that is projected a considerable distance."It is possible in some circumstances for propane cylinders to burst in a fire. The effects of that are that the cylinders rupture, breaking into one or more large piece that is projected a considerable distance.
"The vapour cloud is mixed with air, which ignites and forms a large fireball," he added."The vapour cloud is mixed with air, which ignites and forms a large fireball," he added.
Handwriting
The jury also heard from a handwriting expert who had studied documents found in the burnt-out Jeep and at other addresses.
Dr Christopher Davies told the court words imprinted on one document read "target one" and "target two" next to mobile phone numbers.
Prosecutors said the numbers related to phones that were supposed to detonate bombs in London, where an earlier attempted car bombing took place.
Dr Abdulla, one of the defendants, is accused of driving a Mercedes laden with gas canisters and petrol into the West End last May. After that failed, he joined the suicide attack on the Scottish airport, it is alleged.
Dr Davies said the writing was similar to Dr Abdulla's, but he could not be certain.
The trial is expected to continue on Thursday.