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Families flee homes amid industrial explosion fears
Residents and businesses had to be evacuated after an explosive garage fire turned a Chesterfield neighbourhood into a 24-hour danger zone.
The inferno ripped through The Bodyshop, on Whitting Valley Road industrial estate, Old Whittington, about 2.40pm, on Saturday, and the heat turned gas and petrol cylinders into time bombs.
Margaret Siddall (69) of nearby Langtree Avenue said: "I was at home with my grandchildren when we heard several bangs and it frightened them to bits and they were in tears."
Firefighters from five stations battled the blaze and cooled the cylinders which included one with acetylene, seven with propane, one with oxygen and six with liquid petroleum.
Police closed off surrounding roads and imposed a 200metre cordon as firefighters battled the blaze and prevented the cylinders from exploding.
Firefighters and police advised residents to evacuate homes and businesses and the area was declared safe by Sunday afternoon.
Some businesses on the estate which hoped to open during the weekend are expected to have lost thousands of pounds in trade.
David Hutchinson, Derbyshire fire-safety manager, said: "This incident had the potential to cause extreme harm and devastation with cylinders exploding or becoming projectile missiles."
The Bodyshop owner had just taken on a lease at part of the affected premises, according to the fire service, and has been trying to continue work on a limited basis. Fire safety officer Hutchinson stressed the cylinders had been left by previous occupants.
Derbyshire fire service also told how the blaze is believed to have been accidental and was caused by welding work on a vehicle.
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Weather for Chesterfield
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
