NEWS
concerned about the state of the place." But after hearing that most of the 20 issues raised by enforcement officers after a visit last October had since been addressed, the council agreed to renew the filling station's licence to store fuel. But they have done so for a threemonth period only. Blackpool Council's public protection subcommittee also called for the pumps to be replaced and ordered the owners of the petrol station back before them on May 7 to ensure the outstanding issues had been resolved. Chairman of public protection, Coun Henry Mitchell, said his priority was to ensure the safety of the public. He said: "I was concerned about the state of the place. "If you are dealing with petrol, you are dealing with people's lives. The outstanding issues must still be put right otherwise they will be shut down. "I am now calling for all garages to be looked at as a priority to ensure this is not happening at other outlets." Mustak Adam, who has owned Corton Beach filling station for the past five years, said he had invested £25,000 in the premises already and had now ordered a new set of petrol pumps at a cost of £30,000. In addition he said that Esso was planning to invest another £40,000 in a general revamp of the site. Mr Adam said: "Everything has been done that was asked of us by the health and safety officers and I have ordered new pumps. "We employ seven or eight people so it is important we keep trading. "I think in the next two to three months this site will look very different." Anyone selling fuel on a commercial basis must be licensed annually by the council. Until recently, inspections were carried out after the new licence was granted but now they will be done before the licence is agreed.
UK, Man suffers burns as his bonfire sets light to shed June 2009 - A man suffered burns to his face after putting petrol on a bonfire in a wheelbarrow in the back garden of his Newton Abbot home. Up to 11 firefighters were called to Twickenham Road after the abandoned bonfire spread to a summer house, shed and trees. Officers were forced to throw a cordon around the area after 14
discovering gas cylinders were also involved in the fire. Incident commander Scott Leaman, based at Newton Abbot fire station, warned accelerants should never be used on bonfires. "The man was very lucky, it could have been a lot worse", he said. The man, who has not been named, refused to comment. The alarm was raised by neighbours after flames were seen billowing from the back garden. The man had sustained the burns when his petrol can went up in flames. The blaze then took hold in the garden shed and summer house while the couple were at Torbay Hospital where the man was being treated for his injuries. Both left the house believing they had doused the flames. Neighbour Eric Beer, 79, was letting his dog out when he saw the flames. "They were roaring up," he said. "When I went back in another neighbour was out the front. "He said he had called the fire brigade. I didn't realise they were not in, otherwise I would have called 999 myself. "There were two fire engines outside. I stayed up and was relieved when I saw their van outside later on." On-scene firefighters quickly established there were four propane, five butane and one compressed air diving cylinder near the fire. Fearing an explosion, they threw up a 200-metre cordon and told neighbours peering over their garden hedges and walls to keep away. Mr Leaman said: "We advised people to go to the front of their homes for safety reasons. "We set up a ground monitor hose to put out the flames and crews withdrew to a safe distance. "Fortunately the safety valves on the cylinders did their job. "Only one exploded and that was the air diving cylinder." C r e w s remained on the scene until 1am, he said. He added: "In the closing stages of the incident the home owner and his wife
returned and were horrified by what had happened. "He had been having a small bonfire in a wheelbarrow and applied petrol to the fire before putting the can down. "He picked it up and, as he turned around, the can ignited and went up in a fireball. "He sustained nasty burns to his face and hands. "They thought the flames had gone out and went to Torbay Hospital to treat him. He had a cooling gel applied on the burns." The man revisited the hospital, Mr Leaman said. He added: "He was very lucky. "Our advice is always the same: never use an accelerant on a fire. "It is the vapour from petrol which ignites. "Here, vapour was pouring out from the can and it found the naked flame."
UK, A48 Incident May 2009 - The A48 reopened following a serious fire at Chaxhill Garage. Traffic was flowing freely although there were slight delays close to the garage itself. Firefighters are now keeping a watching brief on the site. The blaze affected the shop, garage and workshop, which were severely alight when the service arrived. Two crews from Cinderford and two from Gloucester attended as well as the aerial appliance and the water carrier. Two crews remained on the scene. Firefighters discovered an acetylene (gas) cylinder in the workshop, and their efforts were concentrated on cooling the cylinder. The A48 was closed off between Elton Corner and Chaxhill and nearby residents were evacuated
APEA tel/fax 0845 603 5507 www.apea.org.uk
