Gas alert residents allowed home

One mechanic was taken to hospital

More than 100 residents in Paisley have been allowed to return to their homes following a gas cylinder alert at a car repair garage.

They were forced to spend the night in emergency accommodation after being evacuated from the Underwood Road area of the town due to fears that an acetylene gas cylinder may explode.

Strathclyde Fire Brigade, who had put a major incident plan in place, said the cylinder had now been stabilised.

The all-clear was given after fire crews completed an 25-hour operation to cool down the cylinder.

The area was sealed off by police

The alert began on Tuesday morning when a mechanic using cutting equipment was involved in a small flashback explosion, causing the acetylene gas cylinder to ignite.

The 44-year-old mechanic was taken to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley suffering from shock and was later released.

Police evacuated about 80 homes and properties within a 200m radius of Underwood Road.

Roads and the rail lines from Glasgow to Gourock, Largs, and Ayr were closed.

About 16 firefighters were called to deal with the cylinder, which measured 5ft by 1ft.

A fire brigade spokesman said the mechanic using the equipment had tried to deal with a flashback before alerting emergency services.

He said: "There was a flashback which is a small explosion involving a leak of the gas coming into contact with the flame and the canister of acetylene caught alight."