Firefighters were still battling to prevent further explosions today at a factory wrecked in a massive blaze.

More than 70 firefighters have been tackling the fire at the steel fabricator RS Fuller plant in Ford Lane, Yapton, near Arundel, since it broke out at 9.30am yesterday.

The towering flames had been brought under control today but the works, in a former wartime aircraft hangar, were severely damaged, although none of the company's six employees nor any firefighters were hurt.

There were fears overheating gas cylinders might explode and fire crews from Keymer, Selsey, Horley and Chichester were still dousing the containers with water.

A fire brigade spokeswoman said: "A cylinder expert is coming to inspect the cylinders later today.

"It takes a long time to cool them down."

She added: "The hangar has suffered 100 per cent damage."

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.