The Glass & China Merchants of 77-79 Buchanan Street suffered great damage from a fire that had begun around 9 am on 16 March 1887.

The impact instantly killed three firemen in the explosion because of the flying bricks and a further eleven at the rear of the building who were buried in the rubble.

The venue had been hosting a Scotland vs. Romania boxing match that night and was believed that a careless gambler had discorded a still-lit cigarette.

The bodywork of the van was produced by Aiken of Linlithgow Ltd and had a large water tank underneath the false floor inside.

An article read:[citation needed] "The Special Damage Control Unit recently put on the run by Glasgow Salvage Corps is a Mercedes-Benz Long Wheelbase L306 Van and has been modified and fitted out by the specialist bodybuilders Aiken of Linlithgow Ltd.

The vehicle's tubular chassis frame made it possible for these apertures to be cut in the body shell without impairing its strength or rigidity.