Residents return home after industrial shed fire

The industrial shed in Workington contained highly flammable cylinders

Residents who were evacuated from their homes when a fire erupted in an industrial shed containing highly flammable cylinders have been able to return to their properties.

About 30 people living close to the blaze in Bolton Street, Workington, were asked to leave at 17:30 BST on Monday.

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service's area manager Stuart Hook said the fire was not large but "there was a danger with the two acetylene cylinders". No-one was injured.

One of the displaced residents told BBC Radio Cumbria she was "absolutely exhausted".

"The emergency services allowed me into my house for two minutes to grab some things and then I headed to my mum's."

She said at about 00:30 she was allowed back into her home, adding she was "lucky that today was my day off".

A cordon remains in the area while the cylinders and shed are made safe

On Monday, a 200m cordon was put in place and a reception centre for residents was set up at Carnegie Theatre on Finkle Street.

Mr Hook said of the fire: "It became complicated after we learned there were two acetylene cylinders inside.

"Acetylene is more dangerous than your average compressed gas, it's really flammable.

"If there is a lot of acetylene in the air with a fire, it can go bang, not to speak technically."

He said the cylinders could decompose after a blaze which meant "even after we've pulled the cylinders out of the fire, we have to then monitor it".

The service said it would carry out final checks with police remaining at the cordon and an inquiry into the cause would begin.