Parents launch claim against East Dunbartonshire Council after carbon monoxide leak

East Dunbartonshire Council is facing almost 30 civil damages claims from families following a carbon monoxide leak at Balmuildy Primary School in Bishopbriggs.

Earlier this year, the council was fined in the criminal courts after admitting breaches of health and safety legislation relating to the 2020 incident.

Despite this, the local authority, which says it maintains a “rigorous safety monitoring regime”, is now contesting dozens of civil claims brought by affected families.

Speaking anonymously in a statement provided by Thompsons Solicitors, parents say they remain deeply concerned about the long-term effects of prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide, describing fear, anger and a lack of answers about what happened and why safety checks were missed.

‘He was vomiting, dizzy and weak — the council should have prevented this‘

One parent said her children had repeatedly complained of feeling unwell in the weeks before the school evacuation, only to recover once they got home.

“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.

“Children were fainting, being sick, lying on the floor in zombie-like states. The outcome could have been catastrophic.”

She said many parents now feel guilt for unknowingly sending their children into a dangerous environment and fear the long-term consequences of exposure.

“He was vomiting, dizzy and weak. The council should have prevented this”

Another parent described receiving a phone call to immediately collect her son.

“I was very scared for my son’s safety. At first he seemed ok, but once we got home he became very unwell, sickness, headaches, dizziness, weakness.

“At hospital, we were told it was carbon monoxide poisoning. I’m angry, because this should have been checked regularly and could have been prevented. My son still suffers headaches now.”

She expressed frustration at what she described as a lack of transparency.

“It feels like the whole incident has been swept under the carpet. The council absolutely should be held liable.”

A third parent criticised what they described as a “shocking failure to ensure the safety of children”.

“The fact a dangerous carbon monoxide leak was allowed to happen is a disgrace”, they said. “This level of negligence could have resulted in a tragedy. Parents are appalled.”

An investigative report shared with families through their solicitors is understood to detail gaps in essential safety inspections across Balmuildy Primary and other schools within the authority at the time of the incident.

Thompsons Solicitors, representing the families, believe the claims reflect widespread concern about both the incident itself and the broader safety regime in council-run schools.

Patrick McGuire, senior partner at Thompsons Solicitors, said his firm had 29 cases related to the CO leak.

He said: “The families just want the truth and it is a sad state of affairs that they have had to come to Thompsons to try and get a straight answer from the council, but the council appears to not want to deal with this in an open and transparent way.”

Ann Davie, chief executive of East Dunbartonshire Council, said, “As soon as it was brought to our attention the gas boiler was decommissioned, the HSE was contacted along with other relevant external agencies.

“As a result, comprehensive measures were put in place to ensure the safety of all staff and pupils. Arrangements across our school estate were checked in the immediate aftermath and the Council has a rigorous monitoring regime in place.

“Throughout the situation, parents and carers were kept regularly updated via text message and email and a dedicated webpage on the council’s website was updated continuously with a detailed list of Frequently Asked Questions and monitoring data. In addition, a public meeting was held at the school.

“In line with any other organisation, the Council does not comment on ongoing litigation matters.”