BRITAIN: British utility firm National Grid Transco was fined a record £15 million (almost €22 million) for breaching health and safety laws after an explosion that killed four people in 1999.
Andrew and Janette Findlay and their two children, Stacey (13) and Daryl (11), were at home in their bungalow in Larkhall, Lanarkshire, when an explosion blew it apart.
Transco was found guilty on Thursday after a six-month trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) spokesman said the fine was the biggest in UK history for a breach of health and safety regulations.
The previous record was £2 million against Thames Trains in connection with the Ladbroke Grove train crash.
An investigation by the HSE found that gas had escaped from a main and gathered in the foundations of the house. Transco was criticised for failing to maintain the iron gas main and for keeping poor records.
A statement on behalf of the families of the victims said they took small comfort from the verdict.
"We are pleased with today's verdict which means Drew, Janette, Stacey and Daryl can now rest in peace," the statement said. "The verdict does not change the fact that our two families will never be the same."
HSE spokesman John Sumner said the fine sent a very strong message to companies.
"The conviction sends a message not just to Transco but to all operators of hazardous plants of the need to keep accurate records, operate effective management systems and properly maintain pipelines and equipment," he said outside the court.
In a statement, Transco described the 1999 explosion as a terrible tragedy but said it was "disappointed" by the ruling.