Police tonight confirmed they are treating a fire that forced the evacuation of five families in the North as suspicious.
The emergency services cleared the area near burning outbuildings outside Larne, Co Antrim, amid fears a number of gas cylinders at the scene could explode.
The fire service was alerted to the blaze at 2.30am and sealed-off the surrounding area as a precaution.
The fire service said the outbuildings on the Old Belfast Road contain a number of gas cylinders which must be allowed to cool before a full examination of the area can be carried out.
Diversions are in place and a section of the A8 dual carriageway outside the town was closed as a result of the alert.
Five families have been moved out of homes neighbouring the scene until the area can be declared safe.
PA