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Electricity restored after blaze Cylinder blaze at petrol station
(about 12 hours later)
Electricity has been restored to houses in Oxford after an acetylene cylinder exploded setting a garage alight. Homes in an Oxfordshire village were evacuated after an acetylene cylinder exploded, setting a garage alight.
The fire started at Sutton Courtenay Tyres at 0700 GMT and people reported hearing explosions. The fire started at Sutton Courtenay Tyres in Sutton Courtenay at about 0700 GMT and people living nearby reported hearing a number of explosions.
Some 50 homes nearby, at the junction of Milton Road, Harwell Road and the High Street, were evacuated and a 200m exclusion zone was set up. About 50 homes near the garage, at the junction of Milton Road, Harwell Road and the High Street, were evacuated but no-one was injured.
Engineers had isolated the power supply to some houses outside the zone during the blaze when a live cable fell down. The fire service and police are investigating the cause of the fire.
People within the exclusion zone have been taken to hotels and will not be able to return to their homes until Thursday evening. A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: "An acetylene gas cylinder exploded and the entire building was on fire.
The fire service and police are investigating the cause of the fire. No-one was injured. "A live main cable over the garage was brought down by the blaze."
Crews from Oxford and Didcot attended. Pic by Heather Woodward
Eight fire engines and 90 firefighters battled the flames, which were described by eyewitnesses as 40ft (12m) or 50ft (15m) high.Eight fire engines and 90 firefighters battled the flames, which were described by eyewitnesses as 40ft (12m) or 50ft (15m) high.
John Kelly, the council's emergency planning officer, had warned that some residents may have to stay away from their homes for 24 hours while the other acetylene gas cylinders are being cooled down. I thought it was someone shooting birds Heather Woodward, resident
The nearby village hall was opened as a rest centre for residents who had been forced to leave their homes. They were later moved to the Kassam Stadium complex. John Kelly, the council's emergency planning officer, said some residents may have to stay away from their homes for 24 hours while the other acetylene gas cylinders are being cooled down.
Earlier, the fire service said the acetylene cylinders were still "like bombs". He said the council would be arranging accommodation or transport for residents staying with family elsewhere.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area as some roads in the village have been closed. Heather Woodward, who lives in the lane opposite the petrol station, told BBC News: "I thought it was someone shooting birds.
Southern Electric said about 35 properties were without electricity, but power has since been restored. "Then I thought 'it's a bit early for that' and when I opened the window I saw all this black smoke coming over."
The nearby village hall has been opened as a rest centre for residents who have been forced to leave their homes.
A 200m (220yds) exclusion zone has been set up and motorists are advised to avoid the area as some roads in the village have been closed.
Southern Electric said about 35 properties were without electricity but engineers might have to isolate more homes.