5 December 2007

Two homes had to be evacuated following a small fire at a workshop in Chesham this afternoon.

The fire, at George Brown’s Implements Ltd in Vale Road, broke out near an acetylene cylinder. Fortunately firefighters extinguished it before it could affect the stability of the cylinder.

If heated, acetylene cylinders can explode, turn into a fireball and travel up to 200 metres. In such cases, a 24-hour exclusion zone has to be set up while the cylinder is cooled. Homes within the zone have to be evacuated while this is taking place.

Today’s incident has not led to such large-scale disruption. However, following consultation with the cylinder’s manufacturers, it has been agreed that the appropriate course of action is to set up a 50-metre exclusion zone until tomorrow morning. Two nearby homes have been evacuated as a precaution.

Crews from Amersham, Great Missenden and Princes Risborough attended, along with Station Manager Roy Hocking from Chesham, Station Manager Dean Elliott (Amersham and Gerrards Cross) and Group Manager Terry Ridgley (Brigade HQ).