A GARAGE fire has led to major disruptions for residents after it emerged there was a highly flammable acetylene cylinder involved in the blaze.
James Hore
A GARAGE fire has led to major disruptions for residents after it emerged there was a highly flammable acetylene cylinder involved in the blaze.
Firefighters were called to a cottage in Heap Marsh Road, Halstead, at 7.40pm last night and set-up a 200-metre exclusion zone when they were told about the cylinder.
Two crews from Halstead and one from Sible Hedingham tackled the fire, with the priority put upon keeping the acetylene cylinder as cool as possible.
A spokesman for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: “Because of the danger of the cylinder exploding, it is routine practice to cool for 24 hours before it can be removed.”
The fire was eventually extinguished just before midnight.
A relief crew from Baddow remained at the scene this morning as cooling operations continue throughout the day with the 200m exclusion zone still in place.
A joint police and fire service investigation will be carried out to establish the cause of the incident.
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