Firefighters had to be decontaminated after attending a workshop fire on farmland in Copmanthorpe today.

Seven fire engines and 27 firefighters were called to the fire in Moor Lane just before 9am, and it was brought under control within 45 minutes.

But all the firefighters and the appliances had to be hosed down before they could return to their stations in York and Acomb to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease.

The fire started in the 20-metre by 10-metre workshop which contained a cylinder of hazardous acetylene.

Terry Glover, a spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said all appliances and staff attending fire calls on farmland are being decontaminated.

He said: "This is an issue we are taking guidance for from MAFF.

"We, as a service, do not want to be responsible for spreading foot and mouth, and as such we are taking precautions.

"All boots, fire kits, engines and vehicle wheels are hosed down after use to try and stop any possible spread of infection."

No one was injured in the fire.

Some firefighters remained at the scene to cool the cylinder and the workshop.

Updated: 15:12 Thursday, March 22, 2001