Stolen chemical at Hornby potential killer

Press, 11 February 1986, Page 1

Stolen chemical at Hornby potential killer

The theft of a lethal chemical from a dangerous goods store at Hornby at the week-end may have been drug-related, its owner Mr John Gallagher, believes.

The Hornby police, on the other hand, are worried that the two fourlitre containers of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide could kill whoever took them from a fibreglass supplier, the Jetboat Shop, in Chestnut Avenue, Hornby. A police spokesman said that the liquid chemical was kept in darkness and at a controlled temperature in the dangerous goods shed because it was likely to combust spontaneously if exposed to heat and sunlight. Even a tiny drop, taken internally, would be fatal,

he said. Contact with the skin would result in severe bums, and contact with the eyes would blind. Mr Gallagher believes that the chemical, used as a catalyst with fibreglass resin, must have been stolen by someone looking for drugs. “I think that is the only reason that they would rummage around in the shed. Nothing valuable was taken,” said Mr Gallagher.

The dangerous goods shed also contained a big drum of acetone, a component of “homebake” narcotics, but it was not known if any of this chemical was missing. The police have appealed for anyone who might find the two blue plastic containers, bearing the words “Interox MekpNAI." to keep away from them and get in touch with the police.