THE QUESTION of the storage of acetylene cylinders in businesses near homes has been thrown into the spotlight by Tuesday’s garage blaze in Kirriemuir.

Worries about the potentially-explosive cylinders were expressed by town councillor Ian Mackintosh as he surveyed the scene yesterday.

He explained, “The big concern I have is, as I understand it, acetylene is not licensed.

“It is something we have to look at and, while we don’t want to prohibit people from working with it, if it were to be licensed at least we would know where the cylinders were.

“Because of this lack of licensing, acetylene could be anywhere and everywhere without us knowing where it is.

“We are talking about something that literally becomes a bomb and what worries me is that you could have the situation of acetylene in the domestic garage next door and not know it.

“In this situation at Kirriemuir, the emergency services were aware there was an acetylene cylinder in the garage and fortunately there has been no loss of life or serious injury.

“What fears me is these things can be lurking around anywhere in domestic garages, a fire breaks out and emergency crews are unaware of the potentially-dangerous presence.”

Mr Mackintosh said there are other products people are not allowed to use or store, but he continued, “Acetylene is one I think has escaped the net.

“We have to be careful we don’t shut down businesses, but I would like to see a proper database so when there is an accident, and they do happen, when the authorities come in they know what is there.”

The convener of Tayside Joint Police Board, he is to take the issue up with fire and police services.

An Angus Council spokeswoman said the authority will raise the issue with the Tayside Strategic Co-ordinating Group, involving all emergency services and organisations including the NHS and councils.