TWENTY homes in a County Durham village have been evacuated following a garage fire late this morning.
Fire crews called to the blaze in High Street, Howden-le-Wear, at 11am, discovered what is believed to be two cylinders of oxyacetylene in the garage.
A police spokesman said: "As a precaution a cordon has been thrown round the immediate area and the high street has been closed to traffic.
"Members of the travelling public are being asked to avid the area by finding alternative routes.
"Fire brigade specialists are on their way to the scene now to carry out a more detailed assessment to decide what, if any, other messages might be needed."
A spokeswoman for the fire service confirmed that the cylinders of oxyacetylene were present.
There were no injuries as a result of the blaze.
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