Fire brigade to stage mock gas blast drama

Nov 25 2009 by Jane Tyler, Birmingham Mail

A GAS explosion will take place in Birmingham this weekend – but residents are urged not to ring 999.

West Midlands Fire Service is staging a mock gas blast in the Cincinnati building in Woodlands Farm Road, Erdington, on Saturday.

Up to 15 fire engines will be involved in the exercise, which will start at 11am and last about two hours.

The Cincinnati building is awaiting development and the training opportunity has been arranged with the help of Urban Splash, the company responsible for refurbishing Fort Dunlop.

Watch commander Mark Engers from Sheldon fire station said: “This is a great opportunity for the fire crews to receive realistic training.”

Smoke will be seen coming from the building during the exercise, so passers-by are asked not to ring the fire brigade.