FIREFIGHTERS tackled a large fire at a scrap metal business in Newport this morning.

24 firefighters, including crews from Maindee, Malpas, Duffryn and Cwmbran, were on East Bank Road where KDK metals was "well alight".

The call came in at 8.06am this morning. Two crews were initially sent but called for more firefighters, a water bowser from Maindee and a hydraulic platform from Cardiff.

The business is family-run and the building on fire contains two lorries worth £70,000. A safety cordon is currently in place.

Denny Dare, whose dad Paul runs the business, said the family hasn't been let down to the area near the building in case of a explosion as the building contains gas cylinders.

He said: "The building's gone but we don't know how much damage there is inside."

At 10.10am this morning Sean Jenkins, station manager with South Wales Fire and Rescue said the fire is not as bad as they first thought. Two fire engines remain at the scene. 

He told the Argus: "About 30 minutes ago I down scaled to three appliances and then to two.

"It's not as bad as we thought which is good for the neighbouring businesses and owners. 

"I've got two firefighters currently inside fire fighting and finding out the temperature of the gas cylinders."

He said because of the dangers of the gas cylinders, the fire service evacuated the neighbouring building.

"From then on in it's been a case of defensive fire fighting," he said. 

It is not yet known what caused the fire.