Firefighters battled for more than five hours to tackle a suspected arson attack at a factory containing potentially explosive gas canisters.

Thirty firefighters were called in to tackle the fire at Thame Business Park, off Wenman Road, Thame, today.

Brigade divisional officer Derek Proctor said when firefighters wearing breathing apparatus went into the blazing building, they found several gas canisters, including oxygen, helium, nitrogen and hydrogen.

The fire, which started in a wheelie bin outside the factory, is now being investigated by police.

Mr Proctor advised firms to make sure inflammable rubbish was stored somewhere secure, and not left outside.

Story date: Wednesday 17 February

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.