14 August 2012
At approximately 6.15pm on Saturday 11 August the Jersey Fire and Rescue Service received an emergency call to respond to a fire involving a barbecue gas cylinder at an address in St Brelade's Bay. When the team arrived the gas cylinder had been put out with a fire extinguisher by the owner. However there was still gas leaking from the perished gas supply hose.
A water jet was used to cool the cylinder by 2 fire fighters using breathing apparatus. The gas was then isolated by turning off the valve and left to cool until safe. The Jersey Gas Company was advised and arranged to collect the cylinder.
Jersey Fire and Rescue Service offered the following advice with regard to the potential dangers of poorly maintained or incorrectly connected gas appliances.
Gas appliance advice
- prior to using gas barbeques and patio heaters it is vital to check the condition of all hoses and seals, as rubber components may have become perished over time.
- all connections should be checked to ensure that they are correctly tightened, utilising a spanner where appropriate.
- before igniting the barbeque or patio heater a check for leaks should be conducted.
- the gas should be turned on, ensuring the appliance controls are off, and by coating connections and hoses with a soapy water solution the presence of bubbles would indicate a gas leak.
If in any doubt whatsoever, the appliance must not be used and the advice of a qualified gas engineer should be obtained. Members of the public must not attempt to tackle any fire involving gas cylinders; evacuate everybody to a safe distance, call 999 and ask for the Fire and Rescue Service.
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