The blaze was reported at premises in the industrial estate shortly before 10.30pm on Thursday (November 19).

Dozens of firefighters battled the fire, which completely destroyed eight lorries at a mechanical engineering works on Scullions Road. A number of explosions were also reported as the fuel tanks of the vehicles ignited.

There was traffic chaos in the area on Thursday night and throughout Friday as a 200 metre exclusion zone was put in place following the discovery of a number of gas cylinders at the scene.

The M2 countrybound off-slip at Sandyknowes and Scullions Road were closed for 24 hours while fire crews made sure the gas cylinders weren’t a risk to public safety.

DUP alderman Nigel Hamilton praised the efforts of the emergency services, saying their efforts in such “dangerous and volatile circumstances had reduced the risk of potential loss of life.”

The Antrim Line representative added: “If one other issue comes from this it is that there are a growing number of commercial sites where gas tanks are stored as part of daily business. I am addressing this issue with Glengormley Fire and Rescue Service officers and the council's Environmental Health department to identify the legislation on storage and site visits. With the increasing number of houses being built in the Mallusk area so close to commercial sites and industry it is important that safety is the top priority.”

Alliance Party councillor Tom Campbell appealed for anyone with information about how the fire started to contact the police.

“There must be a full investigation into the cause of this fire. This was an extremely dangerous situation given the presence of gas cylinders at the site, and I want to praise the bravery of the firefighters involved in putting the blaze out.

“I hope this fire does not have a negative impact on this business. I am sure that their work being disrupted while the fallout from this fire is dealt with is the last thing that they need, especially during this economic downturn,” he commented.

A PSNI spokesperson confirmed that the fire is being treated as “suspicious”, but stressed that the exact cause is still under investigation.