FIREFIGHTERS from two Trowbridge appliances tackled a Citroen van on fire at Downside Park on Tuesday, fearing a man had been sleeping inside.

After finding no-one in the vehicle, they discovered two gas cylinders and then had to extinguish the fire and cool down the cylinders to prevent it exploding.

The crews sealed off the area, while they first extinguished the fire, and then cooled the gas cylinders with water sprays.

The crews used a digital infrared thermometer to check the temperature of the cylinders to make sure they were safe.

A Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said: “Two crews from Trowbridge were called to Downside Park, Trowbridge, at 22:27pm on Tuesday evening.

“Firefighters found a vehicle well alight on arrival as well as several LPG cylinders also involved in the fire.

“The area was cordoned off whilst crews extinguished the fire and cooled the cylinders with the help of thermal imaging cameras and ground monitors.

“The stop came at 23:49pm.”