The fire service in Staffordshire has warned people in Stone to avoid storing large quantities of petrol in their garages.
The warning from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s head of risk reduction comes after Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude urged people to stock up on petrol ahead of a possible strike by fuel tanker drivers.
Conciliation service Acas is attempting to convene talks between the Unite union and seven companies involved in the dispute. If a strike is called, the union has to give seven days’ notice.
Critics say the Government’s response yesterday fuelled panic buying at forecourts across the country, including in Stone where the Shell garage on the A34 had run out of unleaded last night. The Government today said Francis Maude’s comment was a mistake.
Glynn Luznyj, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s head of risk reduction, said: “We would advise people not to store large amounts of fuel in garages, due to the increased risks to occupiers and firefighters. Petrol is a dangerous substance which, when present, can dramatically increase the risk of fire. Public safety is our overriding concern. We would like to remind people to focus on their own safety at all times.”
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service also urged people who are considering storing petrol on their premises to follow thelegal requirements:
- Do not fill a contained more than the capacity printed on the label
- Do not store petrol inside a domestic premises
- Store petrol in a place that is not part of or attached to a building used as a dwelling
- Petrol must be stored in approved plastic or metal containers which can typically be purchased from filling stations
