FIREFIGHTERS tackled a ferocious blaze at a Newent haulage firm.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue  Service had several 999 calls reporting the blaze at Midwinter Transport last night.

Fifty firefighters used six water jets and foam to stop the blaze spreading to a nearby storage warehouse, offices and a 700-litre tank of diesel.

The burning building contained oxygen, acetylene and propane cylinders, and an exclusion zone was set up.

A nearby house was evacuated because of smoke.

Some commercial vehicles, including four forklift trucks, were destroyed by the fire.

The cause is being investigated.