RESIDENTS were forced to close windows and stay indoors as gas cylinders exploded and smoke from a blazing derelict factory billowed through a town.

Large black clouds of smoke drifted over Dalton, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, as five firecrews tackled a flaming old turkey factory.

The fire at the empty building, which is set to be demolished to make way for housing, was seen at 2.37pm on January 12.

The firefighters faced further problems as the building, on Willow Bridge Mills Road, contained gas cylinders and industrial waste.

A fire brigade spokesman said: "There is a large amount of polystyrene in the building and there are gas cylinders exploding.

"We are speaking to the Environment Agency about the situation as we don’t want the polystyrene to run into the rivers in our water.

"No-one has been injured or killed and we’ve no idea how it started. A fire investigation will take place."

Staff at nearby industrial sites were not evacuated as there was no fear of the fire spreading.

Peter Birch, commercial manager of Euro Design Glazing Systems, based near the site saw the fire take hold.

He said: "There is gushing black smoke and the village of Dalton is just 200-yards away.

"There’s a lot of black smoke so I presume there is something nasty burning away but I’ve no idea how it started."

The police closed the A168, which runs past the industrial estate, in both directions due to the large amount of smoke.

The road was later re-opened and residents were told they could open their windows and go outside.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "Motorists are being diverted away from the area, with only local access for residents.

"Householders are being told stay indoors and to keep all windows closed due to the smoke."