Evacuation amid explosion fears

About 150 people had to be evacuated from their homes in Dorset amid fears of an explosion.

Firefighters went to Farwell Road, Poole, where a garage which contained an acetylene cylinder was alight.

A 100m (329ft) cordon was put in place on Friday while the fire, which is not thought to have been suspicious, was extinguished and the cylinder cooled.

The exclusion zone was lifted on Saturday morning and residents were allowed to return to their homes.

A nearby community centre was opened where evacuated families stayed overnight.

Station manager Dave Arundel said: "When the crews arrived they were informed they was an acetylene cylinder inside.

"The building was engulfed in flames and crews took the defensive measure to protect surrounding properties by setting up a cordon.

"We have cooled the cylinder and the worst is now over."

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