A MAN received serious burns in a caravan fire at motorway depot last night amid fears of a gas explosion.

Fifefighters were forced to close part of the slip road off the M27 junction two at Ower during the blaze at the Highways Agency depot involving two gas cylinders.

Two of four caravans, pitched up for workers, caught on fire yesterday evening.

Around fifteen firefighters from Redbridge, Totton, Eastleigh, and Fordingbridge stations were called to the scene.

A man in his 50s had to be taken to hospital with burns to his torso, firefighters said.

It is thought he was hauled to safety from one of the caravans by colleagues before firefighters arrived.

The gas cylinders were allowed to burn themselves out.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: "We can confirm there was a fire involving two caravans owned by a Highways Agency sub contractor at our depot at junction 2 of the M27, near Ower, at 6.15pm. One person was injured and taken to hospital.

"The M27 westbound exit slip road at junction 2 was closed for safety reasons. It was reopened at 7.30pm.

"The cause of the fire is under investigation and as such it would not be appropriate to comment further."