Last week we were treated to the unedifying and undignified sight of people queuing up outside petrol stations filling their cars and vans up with fuel, bringing garages to a standstill, creating traffic jams and generally causing chaos on the surrounding roads. By the end of the week apparently one fifth of petrol stations nationwide had completely sold out of fuel and this was all due to the threat of a national strike by tanker drivers. Just the threat of a strike, mind; so what on earth is it going to be like if and when they actually do go on strike?

There were all sorts of tales in the national press of people filling cans full of diesel and petrol,  plastic bottles, squeezy washing up bottles and even some little old lady filling up dozens of jam jars! It’s almost unbelievable isn’t it? Well, only almost because we should never underestimate the stupidity of some members of the public. Unfortunately, there was one very sad and near tragic incident where one lady decided to transfer some petrol from a petrol can to a jug. That in itself might not have been too problematical but the transfer took place in a kitchen near to a lit oven. Just read that last sentence again and pause for a moment.

Inevitably, the fuel exploded and the lady suffered 40% burns. It must have been horrible but whose fault was it? According to many of the Sunday newspapers the person to blame is Francis Maude, the cabinet minister who announced the threat of the strike and advised people to fill their spare “jerry can” with fuel and keep it in the garage. Not a bad piece of advice you’d think although, being strictly logical, storing fuel is going to create a risk particularly if your garage catches fire. That’s the official and sensible line of the Fire Service but tell that to the thousands of people who keep spare cans of fuel in their garages and sheds for use when the lawn mower needs topping up.

If it really is so dangerous to store fuel than why is it that petrol stations, motor shops and DIY stores sell those green plastic gallon containers manufactured specifically with fuel storage in mind? As for blaming a third party for the foolish actions of an independent and free thinking individual then may the Lord help us; is there really no such thing as individual responsibility anymore?