Updated: Noxious gases close Braye Road

Tuesday 25 June 2019

Braye Road was closed for a while this afternoon, as the emergency services dealt with a "potentially explosive" situation involving pressurised fire extinguishers being deactivated.

The Joint Emergency Services Control Centre, which handles all 999 calls in the islands, initially released a brief statement only saying "Police are currently dealing with an incident" at Lowlands Industrial Estate.

The incident was later confirmed as having started when a business operating in the area - believed to be G4S which has its HQ on the industrial estate - had staff working on deactivating pressurised fire extinguishers. 

"One of these extinguishers had emitted a noxious gas and it was suspected that it may have been used in the manufacture of illicit substances," the statement issued by Guernsey Police said. "When used for such purposes, extinguishers become volatile and potentially explosive."

Guernsey Police had officers stationed at either end of Braye Road, blocking access to the industrial estate and surrounding areas, while Police Explosives Officers and Guernsey Fire and Rescue Service worked to ensure the area was safe.

At 17:44, Guernsey Police confirmed the items involved had been recovered and made safe.

Although Braye Road re-opened around 17:30, the Lowlands Estate remained off limits with police stationed there.  

Businesses in the area around the Industrial Estate, including the garage complex on the corner of Vale Avenue and Braye Road, were evacuated at around 16:30. 

Bodyworks Fitness Centre posted on Facebook to warn customers to stay away for the time being. The gym told its customers the incident was down to a "potentially dangerous situation"involving a fire hydrant.