Flames leapt 40ft into the air when fire took hold at an engineering works in Worthing.

More than 40 firefighters were called to The Creative Group's plant in Decoy Road.

Workers at nearby factories on the industrial estate were evacuated as the teams spent two hours tackling smoke and flames.

Compressed gas cylinders were discovered inside the building, which officers feared could have exploded in the intense heat.

Dave Taylor, a materials controller at neighbouring Ran Pumps, said: "The place was empty because all their staff leave at 4pm. We were just packing up to go when I saw smoke coming out of the roof.

"The flames were jumping 40ft at the side of the building. They use oxyacetylene torches and I thought the gas canisters had caught fire."

Fire officers doused the flames from an overhead platform. A fork-lift truck driver at Ran Pumps prised open the main doors of the 30-metre by 40-metre unit.

Fourteen pumps and three special appliances battled the flames as they gutted the downstairs and mezzanine level of the plant at 4pm on Friday.

An investigation has been launched.