North Yorkshire fire chiefs issue urgent warning to those stockpiling fuel

One fire service in the region has set out what drivers should and should not do amid reports of drivers filling up several containers.

On Monday, one Stockton woman prompted outrage after she was spotted filling up £217 worth of petrol in eight 'huge' jerry cans.

Read more: Stockton driver fills up with £217 of fuel and has EIGHT jerry cans

At the time, one driver who said they had been left in disbelief, said they feared for the driver's safety and others as it was described as a ticking timebomb.

Many petrol stations have been discouraging the stockpiling of fuel amid the shortage, with some attempting to limit the spend per customer.

But the North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service has been forced to warn against the risks of incorrect storage of fuel in cars and homes as more reports emerge.

A spokesperson said: "Storing fuel in cars and homes presents a potential hazard. Petrol and other fuels give off vapours which are highly flammable.

"In homes fuel containers must not be stored in living accommodation such as kitchens, living rooms and bedrooms or under staircases.

"Any storage place should be well away from living areas and be secured to protect against the possibility of vandalism or arson."

It has also said it remains illegal to store more than 30l of petrol at home without informing the local Petrol Enforcement Authority.

Meanwhile, it reminded drivers that rules state fuel must be carried in an approved plastic or metal container and it should not be filled beyond the capacity on the label.

Providing a list of tips, the fire service said:

- Do not fill a container more than the capacity printed on the label

- Do not store fuel inside homes or in a place that is attached to a building used as a dwelling

- Petrol must be stored in approved plastic or metal containers of the sort that can typically be purchased from filling stations.

- Petrol is not only highly flammable but is extremely corrosive and if is not stored in suitable containers it could wear away the container, causing leaks

- Always decant fuel in the open air

- Do not smoke or have naked light near to fuel

- If you are storing petrol in commercial premises you must ensure you are complying with the Fire Safety Order

- Look at the risks involved and review your risk assessments if you are going to change the amounts of fuel you have stored

'Healthcare and essential workers must be given priority access to fuel'

Earlier today, the British Medical Association warned that a growing shortage of fuel amid panic buying had meant there is a “real risk” of NHS staff being unable to do their jobs.

Scenes in the North East revealed large queues formed over the weekend at petrol stations as Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said there were no shortages of fuel.

Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chair of council at the British Medical Association, said: “Emergency and essential workers rely on fuel both to travel to work and for their work itself – whether this is to get to hospitals, practices and other healthcare settings, or for ambulances to reach people in urgent need of care and GPs to visit very ill patients at home.

“Everyone will have their own reasons for needing to fill up, but as pumps run dry there is a real risk that NHS staff won’t be able to do their jobs and provide vital services and care to people who urgently need it.

“While the Government has said it is putting plans in place to alleviate the shortage of HGV drivers to transport fuel, the results of this won’t be immediate.

“Healthcare and essential workers must therefore be given priority access to fuel so they can continue their crucial work and guarantee care to patients.”

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