DUNDEE FAMILIES were yesterday allowed to return home after a 200-metre exclusion zone around a dangerous gas cylinder was lifted by police.

They were given the all-clear to return at 1 pm, after firefighters spent 24 hours cooling the potentially explosive acetylene container.

The Old Glamis Road industrial estate and seven nearby homes had to be evacuated after a blaze broke out in a workshop at Hewden Plant Hire on Wednesday.

Police closed the road and set up the exclusion zone as firefighters continued to cool a gas cylinder that had overheated.

The city council offered to shelter evacuated residents at Kirkton neighbourhood centre if they were unable to make alternative arrangements.

In the event everyone was able to find somewhere else to spend the night.

Firefighters used thermal imaging equipment yesterday to decide when the cylinder had cooled down enough to be considered safe.

Old Glamis Road had been closed to through traffic between Kingsway and Strathmartine Road and Fairfield Road and Fairfield Street were also closed during the emergency.

As well as the householders. workers in businesses affected by the exclusion zone were also allowed to return to work.

Assistant Divisional Officer David Stapley of Tayside Fire Brigade described the cylinder as a potential “bomb.”

He said the acetylene container had been involved in the fire.

“It is very dangerous due to its complex chemical structure. When it’s heated its chemicals can start to decompose inside the cylinder.

“That reaction continues to get faster and faster until the cylinder explodes. It’s a bomb.

“The Health and Safety Executive provide us with guidance, what to do when a cylinder is involved in such an incident. Their advice is we must evacuate the area and set up a 200-metre exclusion zone.

“That stays in place for 24 hours while we carry out cooling operations throughout that period, then reassess that when the 24-hour period is up.

“That period was up between 12.15 pm and 12.30 pm. The cylinder was found to be safe and, obviously in close liaison with the police, we have now lifted the exclusion and allowed occupants into their properties.”

ADO Stapley added that some local businesses were “quite upset” at having to close down for 24 hours which was understandable.

“However this procedure has been put in place for public safety and it’s important that we adhere to these procedures.”