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Cylinder blaze at petrol station Blaze residents to stay in hotels
(about 5 hours later)
Homes in an Oxfordshire village were evacuated after an acetylene cylinder exploded, setting a garage alight. Oxford residents displaced after an acetylene cylinder exploded setting a garage alight, will not be able to spend the night in their homes.
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 in Sutton Courtenay 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. About 50 homes near the garage, at the junction of Milton Road, Harwell Road and the High Street, were evacuated.
The fire service and police are investigating the cause of the fire. The residents are being taken to a hotel and are expected to be allowed back into their houses on Thursday.
The fire service and police are investigating the cause of the fire. No-one was injured.
I thought it was someone shooting birds Heather Woodward, resident
A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: "An acetylene gas cylinder exploded and the entire building was on fire.A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: "An acetylene gas cylinder exploded and the entire building was on fire.
"A live main cable over the garage was brought down by the blaze.""A live main cable over the garage was brought down by the blaze."
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, said 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.
He said the council would be arranging accommodation or transport for residents staying with family elsewhere. Crews from Oxford and Didcot attended. Pic by Heather Woodward
Heather Woodward, who lives in the lane opposite the petrol station, told BBC News: "I thought it was someone shooting birds.Heather Woodward, who lives in the lane opposite the petrol station, told BBC News: "I thought it was someone shooting birds.
"Then I thought 'it's a bit early for that' and when I opened the window I saw all this black smoke coming over.""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. The nearby village hall was 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. The fire service said the acetylene cylinders are still "like bombs" and a 200m (220yds) exclusion zone has been set up.
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.Southern Electric said about 35 properties were without electricity but engineers might have to isolate more homes.