Residents return home after blaze

Emergency services have fully lifted the cordon

Falkirk residents who had to spend the night in temporary accommodation after a fire have been allowed home.

About 200 households were evacuated following a blaze at a private garage in the Carronshore area, caused by an acetylene torch.

The fire on Roughlands Crescent on Wednesday was quickly extinguished but residents had to be kept away while an acetylene gas cylinder was cooled down.

However, police have now fully removed a safety cordon around the site.

Public thanked

Carronshore Primary School remained closed on Thursday following the incident.

A local community centre was used to house the evacuated residents.

The scare initially led to the 200m exclusion zone being put in place around the site, which was later reduced by half, allowing some residents back to their homes.

A spokesman for Central Scotland Police said: "The authorities would like to thank the public for their co-operation and patience during this incident."