BUSINESSES on a Blackburn industrial estate have been evacuated after a fire broke out early this morning.

Fire fighters were called to Presspart Manufacturing Ltd just before 6am to deal with a fire involving acetylene cylinders.

The fire has been extinguished but the cylinders are potentially highly explosive, so fire fighters will remain on the scene for the rest of the morning, and possibily the afternoon, ensuring the cylinders are fully cooling.

A second business, First 4 Print Finishing Ltd, has also been evacuated, and a 100m exclusion zone has been set up around Philips Road and Cunliffe Close.

Acetylene is an industrial gas used for metal cutting and welding.