Thermal Imaging Camera helps find ‘Danger’ gas cylinder

The gas cylinders warning was brought alarmingly into focus after fire crews dealt with a second gas cylinder alert, a week after fire fighters on White Watch were nearly killed.

Tyres were set on fire at Century Mill in George Street, Farnworth, at about 8pm on Friday, where firefighters discovered more than 50 gas cylinders. The site contained mainly propane cylinders, but also included one highly volatile acetylene cylinder.

A Thermal Imaging Camera was used to make sure the scene was safe before they could tackle the blaze by locating the seat of the fire. It also enabled the fire crew to spot any potentially hazardous gas cylinders in and around the blaze.

The fire, believed to have been started deliberately, happened less than a week after four firefighters escaped possible death or serious injury when an acetylene cylinder exploded just yards from where they were fighting a blaze.

Gareth Gray, Green Watch manager at Farnworth fire station, commented: “There were about 50 or 60 cylinders which had been dumped out in the open. We saw the cylinders and we had to withdraw and make checks with the thermal imaging camera.”

The fire service said they had made arrangements for the site to be cleared up.

Thermal imaging technology is available from e2v, who has a 30 year heritage in the industry. Further information on the Argus handheld thermal imaging camera from e2v can be found by visiting www.argusdirect.com/fire.