A new campaign by Islington Council and the London Fire Brigade is reminding those who work with acetylene gas cylinders to use and store them safely. <br><br>The awareness campaign comes just one year after large parts of the Kings Cross area including the York Way Estate were cordoned off after two heated acetylene cylinders became involved in a fire. The incident on the eighth floor of a construction site on York Way, N1, led to the evacuation of hundreds of residents. Thousands of commuters were stranded and some businesses were closed for more than a day. This year, Londoners have already been affected by more acetylene incidents than in the whole of 2006.<br><br>Islington Council, which helped local communities following the King's Cross incident in 2006, has produced a leaflet ('Acetylene Cyclinders') in partnership with LFB. Local businesses can now get handy advice about the correct use and storage of acetylene. The gas is used in many of the borough's 1,000 building sites and some garages for cutting and welding metal.<br><br>Cllr Marisha Ray, Executive Member for Community Safety and Performance, Islington Council said: "We want everyone who lives or works in the borough to be safe. 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.<br><br>"Working with the London Fire Brigade on this project, we will reach dozens of businesses and prevent many cylinder incidents."<br><br>Figures published by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) show in the first seven months of 2007 there were 17 acetylene cyclinder incidents in the capital. The number of fires it is attending involving acetylene gas cylinders is rising meaning more people are affected. Acetylene cyclinder fires are a regular cause for disruption to residents, businesses and transport networks throughout the capital. <br><br>LFB initially puts in place a 200 metre hazard zone at these fires and cools the cylinders for 24 hours before re-opening the area. Exploding cylinders can travel over 150 metres and can cause damage to nearby buildings. Apart from the immediate damage, the economic and community cost is also huge. The research shows that 2,000 people were evacuated from their homes or places of work last year because of acetylene fires. In one recent incident in a railway arch, the Eurostar line had to be shut down for 24 hours.<br><br>Islington's leaflet lists suitable alternatives that can be used and explains how acetylene incidents can affect the wider community and have a serious economic impact. The LFB is asking all councils in London to follow Islington's example and adopt the format of the Islington leaflet which can easily be tailored to the needs of individual local authorities.<br><br>Val Shawcross, Chair of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, which manages LFB, said: <br><br>"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 businesses. I would appeal to all councils in London to join us in helping to reduce the disruption to and improve the safety of Londoners."<br><br>Ends<br>
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009