Evacuation after explosion scare

Residents in Lamond View were told to leave their homes

More than 100 people have been told to leave their homes after a garage containing two explosive gas canisters caught fire.

Eighty six properties were evacuated in Stenhousemuir's Lamond View shortly after midnight after the acetylene cylinders were found.

Cordons remain in place around the area on Friday morning as firefighters work to keep the canisters cool.

Some locals spent the night in a makeshift rest centre set up nearby.

Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service were called to the blaze at a domestic garage at about 2300 BST on Thursday.

About 20 minutes after they arrived, fire crews were alerted to the acetylene cylinders.

Cordons were immediately put in place and police, the local council and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency notified.

'Quickly extinguished'

Due to the unstable nature of the gas, homes were quickly evacuated.

Ch Insp Bob Beaton of Central Scotland Police said roads around the area are likely to be closed for the remainder of the day.

He said: "We are investigating the cause of fire with our colleagues at Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service.

"Eighty six houses were evacuated and the majority of people stayed with family and friends while the remainder went to the rest centre set up at the Dobbie Hall by Falkirk Council.

"Nobody was hurt in this incident and the fire itself was quickly extinguished.

"However, due to the presence of these cylinders there needs to be a significant cool-down period before the cordons can be lifted."

Residents are expected to be allowed back into their properties at about 2300 BST on Friday.