Danger of deadly cylinders (From Gazette Series)

Danger of deadly cylinders

CHILDREN in Wotton-under-Edge are putting their lives at risk by trying to set alight gas cylinders, it emerged this week.

The alarming trend of youngsters trying to light dangerous explosives was revealed when Propane gas cylinders with scorch marks were discovered in the old quarry on Old London Road.

It is not known where the gas cylinders came from but it is believed that young children had taken them to the quarry and attempted to set them on fire.

Glenys Sykes, clerk to Wotton Town Council, said the incidents were very worrying.

She said: "If one of these gas bottles had exploded it could have been quite nasty.

"Youngsters need to realise what they are doing when they set alight a gas bottle. They may think it is fun but in reality it is very dangerous.

"We want to get across to people the dangers and hopefully stop it from happening it again."

In total nine Propane gas cylinders have been found in the old quarry in Wotton. The first incident is thought to have happened at the end of February and the second attempt was discovered on March 14.

Nigel Limbrick, spokesman for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue, said playing with gas bottles was no game.

He said: "To try and set fire to cans of Propane or Butane gas is very dangerous. The explosion it could trigger can be compared to that of a bomb going off.

"When fire fighters tackle this sort of blaze they do it from behind protection because the shrapnel thrown from explosions can cause death or at least serious injury."

Due to the danger posed by the gas cylinders, Stroud District Council had to be called on both occasions so the authority could dispose of the bottles safely.

Dave Marshall, spokesman for the district council, said: "We have been involved in tidying up gas bottles in Wotton.

"It was on private land so we wouldn't normally get involved but we did it because of the nature of the waste.

"We are looking at talking to the land owners about solving the problem with security and access."