SWIFT action by firefighters prevented an explosion at a garage in the centre of West Malling.

A gas cylinder at the Morris Minor Centre, in King Street, threatened to explode when the rear of the building went up in flames.

About 30 firefighters tackled the thick black smoke pouring from the 20 metre by 10 metre garage, bringing it under control within an hour. But a 200 metre exclusion zone around the garage had to be set up in case an empty Acetlyne cylinder inside ignited. The exclusion zone has now been lifted.

Liam Hudson, station commander at Larkfield fire station, said: "There was quite a severe fire in the end of the building. This type of cylinder is classed as an explosive when involved in a fire, so we had to set up an exclusion zone around it and keep it cool for 24 hours with water to make sure it wouldn't explode."

He said even though the cylinder was empty, gas residues inside it made it remain dangerous. The cause of the fire is being investigated.