Highly flammable gas cylinders found during clean-up of illegal bonfire

Louise Walsh

Two cylinders of gas which were found in the middle of an illegal bonfire during a clean-up operation, 'could have killed someone' in an explosion if ignited, a litter warden has claimed

The highly flammable cylinders were discovered as Meath Co. Council dismantled a 15 foot high bonfire at Crook Road in Mornington last Friday.

The council's Litter Warden Alan Nolan has urged parents to warn their children of the hazards of bonfire materials in the weeks leading up to Hallowe'en.

"We received calls about this bonfire that was being built so we organised staff and a waste lorry to go to the site and take it down.

Council staff dismantled the bonfore stack

"The bonfire was about 15 ft high and consisted of all types of rubbish including pallets, domestic waste, sofas and tyres as well as further flammable substances like paint and thinners.

"It was as we got to the base of the bonfire that we found the cylinders.  One was empty and the other was half full.  We were shocked to say the least.  

"If that bonfire had been lit on Hallowe'en night, the cyclinders would have blown sky high and  would have killed anyone standing around it and seriously injured or maimed many more.

"It would have caused a huge explosion.  I can't stress how dangerous this was and I can't understand why they were put there or how the youths building the bonfire got them."

Mr Nolan also warned of the dangers of tyres after meeting a youth last year who had badly damaged his hand from one.

"I was cleaning-up in another area and a woman came out to praise us.  Her son followed and I noticed his hand was bandaged up so I asked what had happened, almost thinking fireworks.

"He had been rolling a tyre towards a bonfire and the wire was sticking out and ripped his hand to bits."

"These bonfires are illegal and cost the council thousands each year in clean-up operations.  Maybe this year, people should go to organised events.

"I'm also urging young people who are listening to Greta Thunberg to start looking after their own environment and stop lighting these bonfires, which emit toxic fumes into the air and encourage others also to do so."