A FIRE which destroyed a derelict garage and nearly blew up gas cylinders close to Witney homes, is being investigated as arson, the fire service revealed last night.

A 200 metre cordon was set up around the burning building in Woodstock Road after the canisters were spotted inside.

Neighbours called 999 after the fire broke out at about 2.30am yesterday at the site between Early Road and Jubilee Way.

Incident commander Paul Bremble said if one of the gas cylinders had exploded it could have killed someone.

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He said: “It was a significant fire for us to deal with.

“What made it easier for us was there were no people involved and the time of night it happened.

“The only complication we had was the cylinders.”

Crews from Witney and Eynsham were called to the scene and the road was closed off after the explosive cylinders were discovered.

The cylinders were cooled down using water hoses and thermal imaging was used to monitor their heat before the area was declared safe.

The road was reopened at about 8.00am.

A Woodstock Road resident, who asked not to be named, said: “The whole sky and the road lit up and there was smoke everywhere.”

She said the garage had been empty since she moved to the street 14 years ago.

A Campion Way resident said she and her husband woke up neighbours and got them to move their cars away from the blaze.

She said: “It was a bit close for comfort.”

Carys Davies, spokeswoman for West Oxfordshire District Council, said: "Staff have been on site to assess the stability of the structure and liaised with the owner, who is responsible for the site being cleared and made safe."

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman Paul Smith yesterday said the fire was thought to have been a suspected arson.

Thames Valley police spokeswoman Hannah Williams said it was called to help the fire service with road closures at the scene at 3.20am.

The force did not say last night if it had made any arrests.

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