Families evacuated in gas blast scare

Oct 8 2007 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

EMERGENCY crews were put on standby for an explosion after several gas canisters burst into flames near railway lines last night.

Trains were diverted and homes were evacuated as a 200 metre exclusion zone was set up around the incident, on open ground in St Helens.

Fire crews were initially called to a rubbish fire at an industrial estate on Reginald Road, which runs parallel to the City Line between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester stations, just after 6pm.

But on arrival they discovered gas cannisters which they believed may contain a highly volatile substance called acefylline, which is used in building and welding and can explode up to a day after being subjected to heat. Families from 12 nearby homes were evacuated, after a 200-metre exclusion zone was set up.

It was thought that the incident would continue into today as acefylline must be cooled down with water for 24 hours to be made safe.

Two fire crews attended the scene and police assisted with cordoning off the area.

But then experts identified the contents of the canisters as oxygen.

The evacuated families were allowed to return to their homes at around 9.30pm when the emergency services were also stood down.

No-one was available to comment from Northern Rail last night.

Passengers reported severe delays on both the 3.30pm and 4.15pm trains from London to Liverpool. Kensington and Fairfield councillor Frank Doran was aboard the first of the trains, which was diverted from Manchester to Warrington, while the second passenger said he was stranded at Manchester Oxford Road until a replacement bus arrived.

“The train went all around the world and when it got to outside St Helens we found we couldn’t get through because of a fire we were told was on the line and involved gas canisters,” said Cllr Doran.

British Transport Police said trains were running again as normal by around 9.30pm.

A spokesperson said it was unlikely there were any suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire.

vickyanderson