Lancashire Fire Chiefs issue urgent warning to people stockpiling fuel
Drivers have been spotted filling cans and even shopping bags with fuel
Last updated 30th Sep 2021
Fire chiefs in Lancashire are issuing an urgent warning to people stockpiling fuel as chaos continues at the pumps.
Some drivers have been spotted filling large cans of petrol, and we've been sent footage of one driver filling bin liners and shopping bags.
It's despite strict rules about how much you can store at home.
Mark Hutton, area manager for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "As a fire and rescue service we relatively frequently attend incidents where petrol was being decanted, vapour has escaped and it's led to a small explosion and then a fire. Unfortunately if the person is in the vicinity of that, that usually leads to some quite serious injuries immediately and and in some cases, sadly, leads to death.
"The main danger with petrol is it's constantly vapourising so the vapours that are given off, if they find their way to an ignition source, then you not only get a fire but you get in essence a very small explosion.
"It's also a hazardous material that can lead to dizziness and unconsciousness so vapours escaping for example in somebody's home - aside from the explosion risks - there are also health risks as well.
"Some of the plastic containers that people are improvising with the plastic material will degrade over time so they may start leaking.
"Those containers are not designed to be filled with petrol and nor are they designed to pour petrol so during that process there will be a lot of vapour and if that vapour finds its way to an ignition source it will cause quite a significant explosion."
Lancashire County Counci says the shortages are not affecting their services - you can read more about that here.