DANGER was averted by quick-thinking workers after gas caught alight at a quarry yesterday (Monday). An acetylene gas pipe burst into flames at 12.20pm as welders were working at the quarry in Panshanger Lane, just outside WGC. The workmen reacted quickly

DANGER was averted by quick-thinking workers after gas caught alight at a quarry yesterday (Monday).

An acetylene gas pipe burst into flames at 12.20pm as welders were working at the quarry in Panshanger Lane, just outside WGC.

The workmen reacted quickly and poured more than half-a-tonne of sand on top of the flames.

Emergency services were summoned to the scene.

Paul Stephenson, watch commander at Hertford fire station, said: "It's a good thing they reacted so quickly, because acetylene is highly volatile.

"If it had exploded it would have been huge. Everyone would have known about it."

The fire service cordoned off a 600-yard zone around the quarry, owned by Lafarge Aggregates, until 1.35pm.