FIRE crews continue to dampen down a large blaze which has destroy a series of industrial units in Queensbury.

The blaze took hold at around 11.50pm last night, spreading through businesses including a tyre storage depot and a bathroom fittings storage unit in the estate in Westmoreland Road.

One of the premises contained gas cylinders, raising fears local residents and nearby Abbeyfield care home would have to be evacuated.

However, firefighters cordoned off a large area around the blaze and isolated the cylinders, meaning residents could stay in their homes.

The fire was officially brought under control at around 7am this morning, although cordons remain in place in Honeypot Lane and the adjacent Morrisons car park as firefighters hose down small pockets of heat.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation as businesses start to sift through their damaged premises, which have been virtually destroyed.

Large numbers of residents left their homes and poured into the streets last night as the fire raged, and witnesses said the flames could be seen shooting into the sky for miles around.