FIREFIGHTERS shut down a main road through Harrow on Friday night over fears of a gas cylinder explosion.

Crews from Harrow and Northolt were called out to tackle a rubbish fire off Station Road at around 9.15pm, and there were concerns cylinders may be affected by the blaze.

They cordoned off Station Road between Gayton Road and Greenhill Road and set up a hazard zone with a 50m radius in case there was an explosion.

The fire, which destroyed a pile of rubbish, was under control by 11.40pm, and it was discovered no gas cylinders were involved.

Station Road was reopened before midnight and traffic returned to normal soon afterwards.