RESIDENTS were evacuated after a "small explosion" at a flat on School Crescent this evening (Wednesday).

Firefighters spent more than four hours tackling a blaze in a first-floor property within a block of flats near to Hungerford Primary Academy.

A Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said there were no reports of any injuries and residents in adjoining flats were taken temporarily to the school while the fire crews were on the scene.

Four fire engines, two from Crewe, one from Nantwich and one from Alsager, were called out after reports of the explosion at around 5.30pm

Crews discovered the blaze in the flat and four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used two hose reel jets and a covering jet to extinguish the fire.

A large fan was used to ventilate the area.

The gas supply to the property was isolated by staff from utility company Cadent.

A cordon was put in place during the incident and police advised people to avoid the Hungerford Road area.