EMERGENCY services sealed off the area around Greenock Ocean Terminal over a gas cylinder blast.

Police and fire crews rushed to the scene around 2pm following reports of an exploding gas cylinder.

No one was injured.

Roads around the terminal were blocked off, including Container Way and lower Laird Street.

A number of police officers stood guard on Dalrymple Street blocking access to side streets, with vans also parked there, although the road remained open.

The Tesco petrol station has also been temporarily closed by the incident.

The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service said: “We were alerted to reports of an exploding gas cylinder at a commercial unit.

“Operations Control mobilised five appliances to the scene, where crews remain in attendance as they dampen down the single-storey building.

“There are no reported casualties at this time.”

PICTURES: GEORGE MUNRO