ROADS near a North Yorkshire workshop which was destroyed by fire are likely to remain closed for most of today as firefighters wait for cylinders to fully cool down.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service says the cordon in Northallerton means anyone heading to the Friarage Hospital will have access via Bullamore Road.

"Please don't be tempted to drive past the road closed signs, they are there for your safety and the safety of our staff,"it said.

Residents were evacuated from their homes and shoppers evacuated from an Asda store after the blaze broke out yesterday evening at Northallerton Tyre and Battery Centre in Brompton Road, in Northallerton.

A 200m cordon was put in place and residents living nearby were evacuated to the Friarage Hospital.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said there were acetylene cylinders in the building, and there had been loud bangs from the site which could be heard 500 metres away in the service's control room.

One eye witness reported a large fire, with concerns for nearby bungalows. She said: "Town is absolute chaos with police, fire crews and ambulances at the scene."

A video filmed by eye-witness Andrew Burkiss has shown the building well alight with part of the roof collapsed.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said fire crews were called at 6:46pm to reports of a building on fire in Brompton Road.

"On their arrival crews discovered a building used as a vehicle workshop well alight and requested further fire engines attend," it said.

"This includes an aerial ladder platform from Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.

"Nearby properties including Asda and the Marks and Spencer food hall were evacuated as a precaution and a cordon put in place around the incident scene. There are no reports of any injuries."