GREATER Manchester Fire and Rescue Service says a new procedure to deal with gas bottle situations will reduce hazard zone disruption.
Last year firefighters dealt with seven acetylene-related incidents and the new system of handling such situations allows for a quicker return to normality following an incident.
Now the regulation 200m cordon imposed in the vicinity of such an hazard which previously could remain in place for as long as a full day could potentially be reduced to a two hour cooling and monitoring procedure.
Jim Collins, GMFRS' Hazardous Substances manager, said: "This has obvious benefits for local businesses and the local community.
"The disruption to the local community and businesses has been greatly reduced without health and safety being compromised."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here