An exclusion zone was set up on a Bradford street late tonight amid fears that a gas cylinder may explode.

Firefighters were called to a rubbish fire in Florence Street, off Leeds Road, but discovered a purple gas cylinder, believed to contain acetylene, in the flames.

About six residents in Planetrees Road were told to move to the back of their homes, out of the danger zone. The blaze was extinguished by firefighters from the Bradford station by 9.30pm, but cordons had to remain in place while an expert inspected the cylinder.

Watch manager Harvey Stewart said: "The fire was probably started by kids but they had chucked in a gas cylinder. The fact it's purple points towards acetylene, which means it's a 24-hour job while it cools down."