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Roads re-opened after gas fears | Roads re-opened after gas fears |
(about 3 hours later) | |
About 50 residents moved out of their Maghera homes amid fears of a gas explosion have been allowed to return. | About 50 residents moved out of their Maghera homes amid fears of a gas explosion have been allowed to return. |
A 200-metre exclusion zone was set up after a van containing an acetylene cylinder caught fire in the early hours of Saturday. | A 200-metre exclusion zone was set up after a van containing an acetylene cylinder caught fire in the early hours of Saturday. |
The Lisnamuck Road and the Drumconready Road were closed but the area has now re-opened. | The Lisnamuck Road and the Drumconready Road were closed but the area has now re-opened. |
Maurice Rafferty from the Fire and Rescue Service said their main priority was to ensure the safety of residents. | Maurice Rafferty from the Fire and Rescue Service said their main priority was to ensure the safety of residents. |
He said crews implemented national safety arrangements when they arrived on the scene, and about 12 properties were evacuated. | He said crews implemented national safety arrangements when they arrived on the scene, and about 12 properties were evacuated. |
Evacuees had to rely on hospitality of friends and relatives"Acetylene, when exposed to shock or heat, is quite dangerous and, indeed, can explode on occasion," he said. | |
"Therefore, crews were forced with no other decision but to carry out an immediate evacuation to ensure community safety." | |
He said residents went to stay with relatives in the area. | He said residents went to stay with relatives in the area. |
The van fire was left to burn itself out because of the danger to any firefighters trying to extinguish it. | The van fire was left to burn itself out because of the danger to any firefighters trying to extinguish it. |