BBQ cylinders recalled for safety by Trading Standards after incident in a Wrexham garden

Trading Standards have issued a recall on BBQ gas cylinders bought at a local service station after an incident involving a ruptured gas bottle in Wrexham.

An investigation into the incident, which saw a propane gas cylinder in a Wrexham garden rupture resulting in the rapid escape of propane gas, is underway by Wrexham Trading Standards.

The gas was not ignited, but the force of the escaping gas sent the bottle and attached barbeque across the garden and smashed through a wooden fence.

Trading standards in Wrexham is issuing a recall on all Gaslight LPG gas cylinders purchased at Smithy View Service Station from January 1 2020 to present.

Officers have worked closely with national gas supplier, Flogas Britain Limited and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

A spokesperson for Wrexham Trading Standards, said: “The precise reason for the failure is difficult to establish with certainty and could be as a result of one or more possible causes.

“Smithy View Service Station obtained a small number of these cylinders from outside usual supply routes, that haven’t been put through the normal testing and inspection procedures Flogas would normally perform, which are of paramount importance.

“The safety of customers, employees and the wider public is vital to Flogas’s business operations.

“LPG is extremely safe when used, handled and stored correctly and Flogas have rigorous safety management processes in place to ensure the continual safety of the public.

“As there could be additional cylinders out in the marketplace that present a risk of a similar failure, the council, working with Flogas, are issuing the following urgent request.

“If you have purchased a Gaslight LPG cylinder, supplied by Smithy View Service Station, Chester Road, Wrexham in the last 10 months then we strongly advise that you call Flogas on 0800 574 574.

“Flogas will replace any identified, out of test cylinders free of charge, so users can continue to use LPG safely for their leisure activities.

“There are also a limited number of red, LPG steel propane cylinders supplied by Smithy View Service Station where testing and inspections have not been carried out because the cylinders have not been returned to the owner (Flogas) for refilling.

“These cylinders have been filled locally, bypassing all safety regulations. These are red in colour and will be missing the testing data ring fastened to the cylinder. This should be clearly visible under the cylinder valve and should look like the image shown.

“There are no concerns regarding gas cylinders supplied by any other distributor.

Cllr Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Public Protection added: “It is vitally important that the public heed this warning.

“This is an extremely serious issue and the consequences of a ruptured gas bottle igniting do not bear thinking about.

“The Council’s Public Protection service is working closely with Flogas to identify and remove any gas cylinders that may pose a risk and I would urge the public please to check whether they have a bottle and think hard about where they got it.

“If you have a gas bottle and you got it from Smithy View Garage, you need to act and follow the instructions.”

Flogas Britain who will coordinate this recall on behalf of Wrexham trading standards office by calling 0800 574574 or calling in person to the Flogas Wrexham site at Maelor Works, Marchwiel, Wrexham LL13 0UW.