THE area around the Bellozanne incinerator was evacuated this morning after a potentially explosive gas cylinder was involved in a fire.

A 200-metre exclusion zone was placed around the site and the Transport and Technical Services department was also evacuated because of fears that the acetylene cylinder could explode. The incinerator is likely to remain closed for at least 24 hours.

It is the second time this week that acetylene has been involved in a fire. Several of the volatile cylinders exploded during Monday night’s blaze at the guesthouse and recycling depot in Mont Fallu, St Peter. The Bellozanne blaze is believed to have started just before 9 am.

Firefighters were expected to remain at the scene today to ensure that the cylinders remain cool. Firefighter Craig Channing said that early indications were that no one was hurt. It is UK Fire and Rescue Service policy to maintain a 200-metre hazard exclusion zone around any acetylene cylinders which have been involved in a fire for 24 hours.

This is because of their instability once heated and the possibility that they may still explode a long time after the fire has been extinguished.