Residents from 16 homes have been evacuated after a fire broke out at a garage in Argyll.

It is understood the fire broke out at around 5am on Monday at Gunns Garage in Appin.

It caused the temporary closure of the A828 road between Connel and Ballachulish, resulting in a 63-mile diversion via Dalmally and Tyndrum for drivers.

The road reopened at around 10am.

Witnesses at the scene reported seeing flames as high as 40ft.

A spokesman for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: "Around 5.05am we received a 999 call reporting a fire at a garage on the A828.

"Three fire engines were immediately sent and the crews arrived to find a well-developed fire in a building measuring 20 by 30 metres.

"Firefighters immediately moved to tackle the fire and have been using several high-pressure jets throughout the course of Monday morning.

"The presence of acetylene cylinders within the building required firefighters to implement a 200m exclusion zone for the safety of the public and this saw residents evacuated from 16 homes as a precautionary measure.

"A number have since been allowed to return to their properties after the exclusion zone was reduced to 100m.

"Firefighters have been using a thermal imaging camera to monitor the temperature of cylinders.

"Work to bring the incident to a safe conclusion remains ongoing."

Jennifer Henderson, A nurse who lives nearby, said: "We heard bangs around 5am and seen the flames 40ft in the air and small explosions for two hours.

"Fire service there now. Road still closed and people around them have been evacuated.

"No one has been hurt, thank goodness."

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