Firefighters avert gas blast after welder spots faulty cylinder

Apr 2 2008 by Aaron Boland, Liverpool Daily Post

FEARS that a gas cylinder could explode at a scaffold company in Birkenhead have been allayed.

Firefighters from Birkenhead and Wallasey stations were sent to Beaufort Street at about 8.15am yesterday after a welder spotted a fault on an acetylene cylinder.

Staff were evacuated and a 50 metre cordon put up around the area as part of standard procedure.

A pump remained overnight and a spokesman said this was a precautionary measure.

Merseyside Police reported the scare did not affect many homes but a small number of industrial premises were cleared.