Councillors Craig Martin and Charles MacDonald have spoken out about the danger after a garage containing acetylene canisters went on fire.

The fire in Lamond View, Stenhousemuir, on August 7, was the second incident of its kind in the area during the last few years.

Mr Martin said: "A few years ago a similar type of incident occurred in Carronshore and at that time I raised the matter of legislative measures to reduce the risk of such incidents occurring in the future.

"During various meetings with environmental health and trading standards staff it became apparent that there were no legislative measure that could assist Falkirk Council in prohibiting local residents from storing such bottles in their sheds or garages which would allow the council to monitor such a situation."

Mr Martin added: "If one of these gas bottles were to explode it would be akin to a weapon of war hitting a building, this is serious and I do believe that we should reduce the risk at source."

During a community health and safety committee meeting this week convener, councillor MacDonald, asked for a report to be prepared on how to reduce the risk of similar incidents reoccurring.

The two councillors want to see regulations introduced which would allow the council to better prepare for incidents like the one at
Lamond View, and which would allow the council to monitor the equipment when stored in built up housing areas.

Stuart Ritchie, director of corporate and neighbourhood services for Falkirk Council, said: "The safety issues relating to the storage of gas canisters will be the subject of a report to the next community, health and safety committee."