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Cylinder blaze at petrol station Electricity restored after blaze
(30 minutes later)
Homes in an Oxfordshire village were evacuated after an acetylene cylinder exploded, setting a garage alight. Electricity has been restored to homes in Oxfordshire after an gas cylinder exploded setting a garage alight.
The fire started at Sutton Courtenay Tyres in Sutton Courtenay at about 0700 GMT and people living nearby reported hearing a number of explosions. The fire started at Sutton Courtenay Tyres at 0700 GMT and people reported hearing explosions.
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. Some 100 homes nearby, at the junction of Milton Road, Harwell Road and the High Street, were evacuated and a 200m exclusion zone was set up.
The fire service and police are investigating the cause of the fire. Engineers had isolated the power supply to some houses outside the zone during the blaze when a live cable fell down.
A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: "An acetylene gas cylinder exploded and the entire building was on 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 live main cable over the garage was brought down by the blaze." The fire service and police are investigating the cause of the fire. No-one was injured.
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.
I thought it was someone shooting birds Heather Woodward, resident 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.
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. 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.
He said the council would be arranging accommodation or transport for residents staying with family elsewhere. Earlier, the fire service said the acetylene cylinders were still "like bombs".
Heather Woodward, who lives in the lane opposite the petrol station, told BBC News: "I thought it was someone shooting birds. Motorists are advised to avoid the area as some roads in the village have been closed.
"Then I thought 'it's a bit early for that' and when I opened the window I saw all this black smoke coming over." Southern Electric said about 35 properties were without electricity, but power has since been restored.
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.