Owner prosecuted after kebab van explosion
Poor safety practices and a failure by a kebab van owner to take the necessary precautions when refuelling a petrol generator caused a series of explosions in the early hours of New Year’s Day and sent flames shooting across the A26 in Crowborough town centre.
Hakan Durmaz, of Alderbook Path, Crowborough; owner of the Cross Kebabs van, pleaded guilty to two contraventions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at Lewes Magistrates Court on September 25 and was fined £1,200 on each account. He was also fined £400 for operating outside his licensed hours. Magistrates also awarded Wealden District Council £1,000 in costs.
The explosions took place just after 3am on January 1, 2007, forcing the kebab van customers to flee. The owner suffered some minor flash burns to his face. A member of the public, who tried to turn off the gas while there was a significant fire in the back of the vehicle, was engulfed in flames and suffered burns to his right leg and hand. He was taken to hospital where he received treatment for his burns and continued to have his injuries dressed for some time after.
As a result of the events in the early hours of New Year’s Day, Wealden District Council’s Health And Safety Inspectors have mounted a focused inspection campaign to remind mobile traders of the risks involved when using, handling and storing bottled gas.
“This was a very serious incident arising from a lack of understanding about working with propane gas and unsafe health and safety practices,” said Councillor Sylvia Tidy, Cabinet member for Community Development. “Two people were injured as a result of the events that night, but it could have a great deal worse with possible fatalities.
“We hope all owners and staff operating mobile vending vehicles, and indeed, those of any catering operation, are fully
aware how vital it is to follow safe operating procedures when using bottled gas.”
Senior Environmental Health Officer, Robert Mann, who conducted the investigation said: “We have been unable to ascertain what exactly caused the petrol vapours to ignite, which led to the sequence of explosions and fire, but this incident underpins the absolute necessity for all operators to be competent in their safe handling and use of pressurised gas cylinders and to adopt robust safety procedures.
“We are grateful to Crowborough Town Council and Sussex Police for use of CCTV footage of the incident which greatly assisted us in bringing this action."
