Man killed in welding van blast

Debris was scattered across the town's market square
A man is thought to have died when a van carrying welding equipment exploded in a County Durham market town.

Windows in shops and homes were left shattered and wreckage was strewn across the town centre of Wolsingham, near Bishop Auckland, in County Durham.

Houses near the scene were evacuated after the blast, which happened at 0700 BST on Saturday.

The explosion happened after the driver stopped the van, which was carrying oxy-acetylene cylinders, near shops.

BBC Radio Cleveland's Matthew Barraclough, who is at the scene, said: "There was a very large explosion indeed. It woke up pretty much everyone in the town at the same time.


"People who live in the market square and the homes surrounding that have been evacuated. One woman I spoke to said she was not going to be allowed back into her house for 24 hours.

"We don't know if any buildings have been damaged structurally but that's one of the factors the emergency services are taking into consideration."

No-one else is thought to have been hurt in the explosion, on the A689.

[Edited on 26-5-07 by mangogrooveworkshop]


[Edited on 26-5-07 by mangogrooveworkshop]

they dont half make a mess when they go bang


now we can see why the fire brigade cool them for twenty four hours before inspection

major coincidence, i was trying to drive through that village this morning at about 0830, some major sodding diversions. Wondered what had happened. Unlucky bugger

Probably never knew a thing about it, sympathies to his famiyl

That reminded me of why I was reluctant to have oxy-acetylene gear in my garage...

Garage a half mile from me had a fire a few years ago, saw the remains of one of the gas bottles . Think half mile was just about a safe distance

What happened that they exploded?

Around here you need a presure test every 10 years.

Must have leaked or what?

quote:

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Originally posted by t.j.


What happened that they exploded?

Around here you need a presure test every 10 years.

Must have leaked or what?

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I think that the most usual reason is that of not having an anti blow back devise fitted. You can then get the gas on fire within the cylinder, and Oh boy do they go then. My mum worked for BOC, (many many years ago), and they had one go up, and parts of the cylinder were recovered from the railway, which was a little over a quarter mile away. Ray

I work with these cylinders every day,it takes something like this to remind you of the dangers of working with gas cylinders and the need for safe working standards,sorry to hear about this,again, sympathies to his family/friends.Ray.

An acetylene leak would have done it - nasty stuff, also don't acetylene tanks get a bit moody if they fall/are carried on their side?

About the only good thing is it would have been quick.

A similar incident nearly happened today, in East Anglia (can't find a reference on the web - it was on the local news). A van caught fire - unfortunately there was an oxy-acetylene set in the back. Police evacuated a large area, and the fire brigade set a 'stand-alone' unmanned fire hose spraying though the back doors. Neighbours weren't allowed back for 8 hours or so...

Was that the one on the A14 near Newmarket a few months ago? caused absolute mayhem

a guy at work was cutting a tube that must of filled with gas. the bang of it oh my god i shite myself. my ears was ringing for hours after. its only the people that use it that make it dangerous
adam

Found the link for the latest incident...

BBC