Fears of a terrorist attack were dismissed by firefighters after four poisonous gas canisters were found in West Hendon.

Five fire crews were called to the Garrick Industrial Centre in Garrick Road just after 10.15am on Friday last week when a security guard noticed liquid leaking from one of the canisters.

The area was immediately sealed off and firefighters with protective chemical clothing moved in to deal with the canisters.

Station Officer Sean McKeever, of Hendon Fire Station, said: "The canisters were labelled as beingvery dangerous chemicals and so we had to go into full chemical procedure.

"Four pump fire crews attended the scene as well as a fire and rescue unit from Euston.

"The chemicals in the canisters were dry-cleaning fluid and are extremely poisonous.

"They were dumped by an abandoned car but we don't believe it was linked to terrorism."

Two ambulance crews also attended the scene while police closed off the entrance to the business park. The road was reopened at lunchtime after firefighters had cleared the spill.

The canisters were disposed of by Barnet Council's environmental health department.

January 29, 2003 17:30