To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what instructions were given by her Department’s staff at the oxyacetylene fire incident on the A12 at Eight Ash Green on Friday 5 October 2007; whether her Department received any requests for the penetration of the oxyacetylene cylinder by high velocity rifle round; and if she will make a statement. (175549)

No instructions were given by Communities and Local Government (CLG) staff with regard to the oxyacetylene incident on the A12.

CLG did not receive any requests for the penetration of the oxyacetylene cylinder by high velocity rifle round.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many fire-fighters have been (a) killed and (b) injured by explosions caused by oxyacetylene cylinders in the last 10 years. (175553)

There have been no recorded deaths or injuries of firefighters following explosions of an acetylene cylinder in the last 10 years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on which occasions trunk road motorway or rail closures of more than three hours have been caused by fires involving oxyacetylene since such fires began to be recorded as fires of special interest; and if she will make a statement. (175554)

The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.