186. The Gas Company engineers in consultation with the Fire Service officers then decided that the safest measure was to release the explosive mixture to the air. Fire Service personnel wearing breathing apparatus and supplying breathing apparatus for the Gas Company engineers then made repeated journeys up and down the tank to release various ventilators.
187. The work was extremely exhausting and mentally trying since, with two men using the same air cylinder, the maximum working time for any man in the vicinity of the escaping gas was 10 to 15 minutes. Much of this time was consumed in journeys to and from, and up and down the gasholder. The Fire Service personnel withdrew from the scene shortly after 05.00 hours when the gasholder was certified to be safe.
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