Residents evacuated from their homes in Co Antrim following a scrapyard fire will not be able to return until tonight, the fire service said.
Up to 100 families were affected by the blaze in Longlands Avenue in the Longlands area of Newtownabbey. The flames were extinguished in the early hours but officers have maintained a presence to cool a large gas cylinder.
After it was reported at 8pm yesterday locals were told to keep their doors and windows closed and shoppers were asked to stay in a nearby supermarket due to fears of asbestos in the air. But the fire service have since confirmed there is no risk from asbestos pollution.
A 200-metre exclusion zone was put in place around the yard and will remain until 10.30pm. A number of stores at a neighbouring retail park, including B&Q, have been closed as a result of the restrictions. Investigators will not be able to gain access to the shed, which contains scrap cars, until Saturday and therefore the cause of the blaze has yet to be established.
Divisional Officer Mark McGraninghan, of the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, said six appliances attended the blaze. He said: "Due to the presence of acetylene gas cylinders, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service have set up a 200m exclusion zone around the incident for a 24-hour period in the interests of public safety.
"This is an operational procedure that is carried out by all fire and rescue services in the UK based on historical evidence of the risk of explosion.
"Local residents have been evacuated from their homes and local businesses within the exclusion zone will remain closed." Mr McGraninghan thanked the public for their co-operation, especially so close to Christmas.
PA