Homes and businesses were evacuated after explosions were heard when a major fire broke out in a town centre garage, five years ago this week.

The emergency services were called to the blaze at Northallerton Tyre and Battery, on the town’s Brompton Road, at 6.45pm on January 16, 2019.

Read more: The day a keen-eyed nurse stopped this landmark town hall from burning down

Police closed surrounding roads, throwing up a 200 metre cordon which brought parts of the town centre to a standstill as scores of people turned out to watch the incident unfold.

Asda and the nearby Marks and Spencer food hall were evacuated, and residents from nearby properties were taken to shelter at the Friarage Hospital.

It was understood there were concerns for unexploded canisters in the building.

There were no reports of any injuries. Nine fire crews, including an aerial ladder platform from Darlington, were at the scene at one stage.

One witness told The Northern Echo: “It’s absolute chaos at the moment, the roof has collapsed and it looks like the fire could spread. There are huge jets of water trying to control it.

“It’s so sad for the business there – they’ve been on that site for years and years.”

North Yorkshire County Council’s Resilience and Emergencies Unit was also called in.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service urged people to avoid the area and not drive past road closed signs.

“Crews are working hard to try to contain the fire and stop it spreading to other buildings,” said the spokesperson. “They have ground monitors in use to help tackle the fire. Agencies are likely to remain at the scene for some time. Fire crews will remain at the incident to monitor the scene.”

Elsewhere in Northallerton, a boutique cinema group known for its plush interiors was announced as the operator of a new four-screen venue in January 2019.

Everyman chose the £17m Treadmills leisure development on the site of Northallerton’s former prison to add to the 26 cinemas it already operates.

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The company is known for its luxurious venues and sofa-like cinema seats where film-goers can enjoy a glass of wine and a slice of freshly-made pizza served to their seats.

An internationally renowned artist whose Teesside roots and love of the Yorkshire Dales heavily influence his work is embarking on a world tour to celebrate his 30th anniversary, in 2019.

Mackenzie Thorpe, one of the biggest-selling British contemporary artists, marked 30 years as a professional artist with a series of events.

Throughout the year, his world tour featured dates across America – including Florida and Houston – from February to August, 2019.

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A new sculpture was unveiled at the iconic Transporter Bridge in his home town of Middlesbrough in April 2019, followed by a tour of Japan in April 2019 when he received an honorary doctorate from Seisa University.

Mr Thorpe then toured the UK with a 30th anniversary exhibition, Mackenzie Thorpe: From the Heart, in May and July at Whitewall Galleries and Clarendon Fine Art, and there was a weekend of celebrations in Richmond to mark 30 years since establishing Arthaus Gallery in Finkle Street.

Mr Thorpe also showcased paintings to a global audience as official artist for Tour de Yorkshire 2019.