Guernsey Press

Businesses evacuated over explosives risk

BUSINESSES on the Lowlands Industrial Estate had to be evacuated yesterday due to the risk of explosion at a neighbouring property.

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Braye Road was closed and businesses on the Lowlands Industrial Estate evacuated this afternoon over fears of an explosion. (25048429)

The Joint Emergency Services Control Centre was called at about 3.25 by a local security company that was de-activating pressurised fire extinguishers in one of the buildings. One of these had emitted a noxious gas and it was suspected that it may have been used for the manufacture of illicit substances.

A police spokesman said that when used for such purposes, fire extinguishers became volatile and potentially explosive.

Police explosives officers and the Guernsey Fire & Rescue Service attended and the area was cordoned off by police.

The items were recovered and the area made safe.

Police declined to say who the building belonged to without the owner's consent.

The section of Braye Road between Lowlands Road and Vale Avenue was closed for about two hours.