Homes evacuated in gas cylinder arson attack

Firefighters were called to Grimshaw Street, in Preston city centre, at 8.22pm on Saturday, after reports a group of yobs had reached through a fence and opened two cylinders’ valves before setting them on fire.

Neighbours spotted the cylinders ‘burning like a blow torch’ and around six people were evacuated from nearby flats, while firefighters tackled the blaze.

They spent around one-and-a-half hours at the scene, which included using specialist equipment to check the cylinders had cooled and were not in danger of exploding.

Mick Duffell, watch manager at Preston Station, said: “It is a stupid thing to do but kids are kids, they do not understand the consequences.

“It puts firefighters at risk and local residents at risk.

“We would also say to business people with cylinders they should store them in a secure compound.”

Police were also called to the scene.

By Ben Robinson 
Published on Sunday 22 April 2012 14:52