Man prosecuted after kebab van explosion

In the early hours of New Year's Day flames shot across the A 26 in Crowborough town centre, a court heard.

Hakan Durmaz, owner of the Cross Kebabs van, pleaded guilty to two contraventions of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 at Lewes Magistrates Court last week and was fined 1,200 on each account.

He was also fined 400 for operating outside his licensed hours. Magistrates also awarded Wealden District Council 1,000 in costs.

The explosions took place just after 3am forcing the kebab van customers to flee.

Hakan Durmaz, of Alderbook Path, Crowborough, suffered some minor flash burns to his face. A member of the public, who tried to turn off the gas while there was a fire in the back of the vehicle, was engulfed in flames and suffered burns to his right leg and hand.

He was taken to hospital where he received treatment for his burns.

Cllr Sylvia Tidy, cabinet member for community development, said after the court hearing: 'This was a very serious incident arising from a lack of understanding about working with propane gas and unsafe health and safety practices.

'Two people were injured as a result of the events that night, but it could have a great deal worse with possible fatalities.

'We hope all owners and staff operating mobile vending vehicles, and indeed, those of any catering operation, are fully aware how vital it is to follow safe operating procedures when using bottled gas.'

Senior environmental health officer Robert Mann, who conducted the investigation, said: 'We have been unable to ascertain what exactly caused the petrol vapours to ignite, which led to the sequence of explosions and fire, but this incident underpins the absolute necessity for all operators to be competent in their safe handling and use of pressurised gas cylinders and to adopt robust safety procedures.'