THE risk of gas cylinders exploding in a blaze near Danson Park last night (July 21) led to around 50 people being evacuated from their homes and allotments.

A 200m cordon was set up around Alers Road allotments in Bexleyheath after a hut containing gas cylinders caught alight.

The fire took hold at around 8.15pm and destroyed three of the wooden huts on the site as well as severely damaging a fourth.

It also spread to a nearby log cabin and about half of this building was destroyed by the blaze.

Nearby homes in the Danson Road, Alers Road and Green Vale area were evacuated.

The allotments were also cleared of people so there was no risk of anyone being hit by what a London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesman described as being ‘like a small bomb’.

Fire crews from Bexley, Erith, Sidcup and Plumstead then fought the blaze using water jets before checking the canisters with thermal imaging cameras to make sure they were cool.

People were allowed back into their homes once the cordon was removed at around 11pm.

It is not yet known how or where the fire started and the cause is currently being investigated.

The LFB spokesman says people should be careful with gas cylinders and not store them near combustible materials, for example in sheds. Did you see what happened? Were you evacuated? Call the News Shopper on 01689 885714.