RESIDENTS of two Rawtenstall streets were warned to stay indoors as firefighters attempted to avert a gas blast.

Youths set fire to rubbish at the behind the now empty Greens Tarpaulins premises, in St James Row, last night.

But the flames spread to the property, which contained five propane gas cylinders.

There were concerns the fire would cause the cylinders to explode and urged residents of St James Row and St James's Street to stay safe.

Sub officer Tom Simpson said: "There was a lot of rubbish behind the building that had been set alight and there was five propane cylinders.

"If they had have gone off they are like a missile, but firefighters could see them so there were able to deal with it by putting water on them and keeping them cool."

Residents were told to stay indoors for around two hours while firefighters extinguished the fire.