A GAS leak in Gorleston triggered the evacuation of 150 staff at businesses in the area, including borough council offices.Firefighters were called to CLS Offshore, in Malthouse Lane, following reports a cylinder containing highly flammable acetylene gas had caught fire.

A GAS leak in Gorleston triggered the evacuation of 150 staff at businesses in the area, including borough council offices earlier today.

Firefighters were called to CLS Offshore, in Malthouse Lane, following reports a cylinder containing highly flammable acetylene gas had caught fire.

Staff from CLS, which is involved with offshore gas, were evacuated shortly after 10am along with employees from neighbouring businesses and a 200m exclusion zone was set up around CLS' premises for an initial 24 hour period.

However, a gas expert examined the cylinder and determined only the cables and external gas fittings were involved so the duration of the exclusion was reduced to five hours and should be cleared within the next hour.