Fire ripped through The Crescent Garage, on Devonshire Crescent, Roundhay, Leeds at 7.30pm yesterday where there were reports of a number of cylinders containing highly flammable acetylene gas, inside.

Flames were seen bursting from the windows and roof of the garage which was left gutted by the fire.

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More than 25 firefighters tackled the blaze while police evacuated residents from streets surrounding the site which were then sealed off. A meeting at the nearby St Andrew's Church was also disrupted.

A 200m exclusion zone was put around the building and residents taken to Allerton Grange High School for safety. Police alerted the school's caretaker, who opened up the building where around 60 residents gathered for 90 minutes while the fire scene was made safe.

Francis and Ethel Harman, aged 88 and 80, of Devonshire Crescent, said they feared they would have to stay in the school overnight.

"We saw people there with sleeping bags and pillows and we got worried," said Mrs Harman. "Some people were cuddling babies who were fast asleep and I saw someone holding a kitten. We were so worried they would keep us in overnight. I have never had anything like this happen before!"

Mr Harman saw the drama unfold from their kitchen window.

"I saw flashing lights and a huge jet of water going into the building. We saw fire and smoke and there was a real commotion with sirens going. Then a policeman came to the door and said we have to evacuate you, get some warm clothing on. We couldn't believe it!"

Antoinette Peters lives on Sutherland Avenue, near to the garage.

"Everyone was walking and driving away from their homes down to the school for safety. You could see the whole roof on fire and the flames were going up into the air. I could see smoke billowing up and flames coming out the roof. I did feel quite worried about what was happening."

The area was made safe at 10pm and the residents allowed back home.

Moortown watch manager Richard Cockx said the gas cylinders had been removed about two hours after firefighters were called to the blaze.

"The problem with acetylene is that it becomes very unstable when involved with fire and can level a large area if it explodes," he said. "Once we had removed the cylinders the residents were able to return to their homes."

The cause of the blaze is being investigated.

West Yorkshire Fire Service website