ABOUT 50 people have been evacuated from their homes after a fire involving an acetylene cylinder in Salford.

Firefighters were called at about midnight when a lorry carrying the cylinder caught fire in Egmont Street, Irlam o'th' Heights.

Streets in the area were closed and residents were taken to Summerville Primary School before finding alternative accommodation.

Train services between Wigan, Daisy Hill, Atherton, Walden and Manchester Victoria have been cancelled as a result of the fire.

Duchy Road between Minden Street and Enville Road is closed and the cordon will remain in place until about midnight to allow the cylinder to cool.