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Acetylene Gas incidents on the increase.

New research by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) reveals a rise in the number of fires it is attending involving acetylene gas cylinders in the capital.

In 2007 so far, Londoners have been affected by 17 separate incidents attended by LFB involving acetylene cylinders - more incidents than in the whole of 2005 (15 incidents) and 2006 (16 incidents).

These fires can be very high risk, with the cylinders capable of exploding, causing a 25m fireball, flying glass and structural damage to nearby buildings, with the cylinder traveling over 150 meters.

To ensure the safety of its firefighters and the public, LFB initially puts in place a 200 meter hazard zone at these fires and cools the cylinders for 24 hours before re-opening the area. In one recent incident in a railway arch, the Eurostar line had to be shut down for 24 hours.

The economic and community cost is also huge - the research shows that 2,000 people were evacuated from their homes or place of work because of hazard zones being put in place in the first half of 2007.

The news comes just over a year after the Kings Cross area was cordoned off after two heated acetylene cylinders became involved in a fire on the eighth floor of a construction site. The incident led to the evacuation of 1,000 residents, thousands of commuters being stranded and businesses closing for more than a day.

Islington Council, which was heavily involved in the King's Cross incident, has since taken action and is distributing a leaflet produced in partnership with LFB to local businesses with information about the correct use and storage of acetylene, suitable alternatives that can be used and information about the community and economic impact of an acetylene incident.

Other borough councils are also working with local businesses and LFB on the issue. Lewisham and Barnet councils are already following Islington's lead by reproducing the leaflet and the Brigade is today asking all local authorities in London to do the same. The Islington leaflet can easily be tailored to the needs of individual local authorities.

The other major findings of the research are:

In 2007 so far there have been 71 cylinder incidents (not just acetylene) that have led to cylinder procedures being put in place for at least one hour.
In total during 2007, hazard zones have been in place for more than 350 hours. At 12 of the 17 acetylene incidents, a hazard zone was in place for more than 24 hours.
Hazard zones at the majority of the acetylene incidents in 2007 so far have had a major impact in the transport infrastructure - for example leading to the closure of Eurostar in March.
More than 2,000 people in total have been evacuated (many of whom had to be temporarily housed by the relevant local authority) from these 17 incidents.

Val Shawcross, Chair of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, which manages LFB, said:

"These figures show the real dangers and costs of acetylene cylinder incidents across London. The Brigade is doing all it can to campaign for the safe storage and use of acetylene cylinders, including suggesting suitable alternatives. We need the help of local councils in working with local business to ensure that acetylene is only used when it is really needed, and that it is always used and stored safely.

"We are delighted that Islington Council is working to tackle this issue, not least because of the major incident in King's Cross last year that caused massive disruption to commuters and business. I would appeal to all councils in London to join us in helping to reduce the disruption to and improve the safety of Londoners."

Cllr Marisha Ray, Executive Member for Community Safety and Performance, Islington Council, said:

"We are always seeking to improve the health and safety of all who live and work in the borough. Part of this is getting businesses to reduce the number of accidents involving acetylene gas. Those who use it need to know the risks associated with it and how they can safely use and store acetylene.

"Working with the London Fire Brigade on this project, we will reach dozens of businesses and prevent many cylinder incidents."

Click here to download London Fire Brigades Information Leaflet