A GAS cylinder fire has completely destroyed several sheds and garages in Wivenhoe. 

Broomfield Crescent and Heath Road, next to Colchester Road, closed for several hours while a 200m cordon was put in place.

Firefighters were called to the fire involving two garages and several garden sheds, one of which contained an acetylene cylinder, at about 3pm.

Smoke from the blaze could be seen for several miles around and the service received a number of calls.

The smoke was so severe Wivenhoe town councillor Shaun Boughton planned on setting up the Village Hall as an emergency shelter.

He said: "I came in not long after it started and I could see the smoke from where I was, probably a mile away. 
"Straight away I went to investigate, I thought it was a grass fire. It was only when I went into Heath Road I saw the emergency services. 
"It was bedlam. People were being brought out of their homes and taken to the other side of the cordon."

The fire took 3.5 hours to put out and was cooled with water for several hours, while being monitored by a thermal imaging camera until the cylinder was completely cooled. 
The cordon was lifted at 7pm and residents were allowed to return to their homes. 

Councillor Boughton added: "They were fighting it from all different angles, they must have gone through other people's gardens.
"There were rumours that someone had said there was a bomb. 
"My instant reaction was to find out if anyone was hurt. Obviously we have a procedure to go to the Hall in an emergency. 
"Councillor Read contacted councillor Bob Needham about preparing the Village Hall in case it was needed and we made sure it was ready."

Braintree and Witham Times:

At 5pm, firefighters reported they are continuing to tackle the fire which has affected two garages, several sheds and some trees.

Update 6.30pm: Incident Command Scott Meekings said: "The fire is now out. The acetylene cylinder involved in the fire is being cooled with water and is being monitored by firefighters using a thermal imaging camera.

"We will continue to monitor the cylinder until it is completely cooled. The cordon will remain in place for approximately another two hours, although we hope to reduce the cordon shortly to let some residents furthest away from the property back to their houses.

"Firefighters have done an excellent job to stop this rapidly spreading fire affecting any of the houses. Two garages and several sheds have been destroyed."

Update 7pm: The safety cordon has been lifted and all residents can return to their homes.

An investigation will be carried out to establish the cause of the fire.