FIREFIGHTERS fear somebody could be killed in an explosion if there are more arson attacks on a derelict factory site in Newport.

They fear another fire at the former IMI Santon factory near Kitty Hawk Drive, Lliswerry, could kill one of the culprits, a nearby resident or even a member of their crew because it contains dozens of gas canisters.

Firefighters took three hours to put out a blaze on the site last night. They were called out at about 11.30pm and tackled a fire in a prefabricated building.

Nobody was hurt but the 50 metre by 20 metre building was destroyed. Police are working with the service to boost security on the site but locals are living in fear of a further attack.

Sub officer Alan Francis, of Maindee Fire Station, said there had been around half a dozen callouts to the factory, which manufactured heaters and boilers, over the last fortnight, including three times on one night alone.

He said a fire last week was in a container full of rubbish with gas cylinders inside.

Sub officer Francis said although they had ways of tackling potentially explosive situations it was still a massive danger.

"If one of those goes up with the gas cylinders in them then the crew could go up too," he said.

"It's serious because they are putting lives at risk.

"It has been bad over the Easter holidays because kids have been home from school."

Councillor Allan Morris, who represents the area and is a former firefighter, said he had been inundated with calls about the menace.

"It's a disaster waiting to happen," he said.

Residents living nearby said the owners of the land should be forced to remove the cylinders. "Kids are there lighting fires all the time," said one resident, who did not wish to be named.

"It's totally reckless. If there is an explosion it could take parts of houses with it."

A spokesman for Gwent Police said they were liasiing with the council to establish who the landowner was so the site could be made safe.

"The message to children or anyone else is not to enter the site because they are putting theirs and other people's lives at risk," he said.

Anyone with information can phone Gwent Police on 01633 838111.