FIREFIGHTERS and police cordoned off an area of Barrow town centre amid fears of a gas explosion at a petrol station.

Emergency services were called to Morrisons in The Strand at 10.30am yesterday.

A 999 call had been made after a propane gas cylinder leaked liquid gas onto the forecourt while it was being filled up.

Police officers closed part of Michaelson Road Bridge and the steps leading down to Morrisons.

The petrol station was closed while the clean-up operation was under way although the supermarket remained open.

Firefighters at the scene said the cordon was necessary to prevent the risk of an explosion and while specialist.

A police spokeswoman said: "A closure was placed on the foot path on Michaelson Bridge, Barrow, following a fuel leak at the Morrisons Petrol Station.

"The closure will remain whilst a clean-up takes place.

"The petrol station is also closed.

"Police and fire services were in attendance."

Firefighters arrived at the scene at 10.30am yesterday morning after reports a propane gas cylinder had leaked at the Morrisons garage in Barrow.

A Fire and Rescue spokesman said: "At 9.39am yesterday, two fire engines attended a gas leak at The Strand, Barrow.

"Four firefighters in breathing apparatus used one hose reel, one thermal imaging camera and a gas monitor to assess the incident.

"The leak was suppressed by firefighters and the gas cylinder was handed over to a Calor Gas Engineer.

"Firefighters were in attendance for approximately two hours and forty five minutes."

"There was an issue with the equipment used.

Firefighters at the scene said: "We rectified the leak before a team of specialists arrived on the scene.

"A cordon was placed as a precautionary measure.

"Half of Michaelson Bridge was also closed for safety."

The garage was back open and trading as normal by 3pm yesterday.