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Blaze residents to stay in hotels Electricity restored after blaze
(about 3 hours later)
Oxford residents displaced after an acetylene cylinder exploded setting a garage alight, will not be able to spend the night in their homes. Electricity has been restored to houses in Oxford after an acetylene cylinder exploded setting a garage alight.
The fire started at Sutton Courtenay Tyres in Sutton Courtenay at 0700 GMT and people reported hearing 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. 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.
The residents are being taken to a hotel and are expected to be allowed back into their houses on Thursday. Engineers had isolated the power supply to some houses outside the zone during the blaze when a live cable fell down.
People within the exclusion zone have been taken to hotels and will not be able to return to their homes until Thursday evening.
The fire service and police are investigating the cause of the fire. No-one was injured.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 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.
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.
Crews from Oxford and Didcot attended. Pic by Heather WoodwardCrews 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. Eight fire engines and 90 firefighters battled the flames, which were described by eyewitnesses as 40ft (12m) or 50ft (15m) high.
"Then I thought 'it's a bit early for that' and when I opened the window I saw all this black smoke coming over." 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.
The nearby village hall was 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 had been forced to leave their homes. They were later moved to the Kassam Stadium complex.
The fire service said the acetylene cylinders are still "like bombs" and a 200m (220yds) exclusion zone has been set up. Earlier, the fire service said the acetylene cylinders were still "like bombs".
Motorists are advised to avoid the area as some roads in the village have been closed.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 power has since been restored.