ABOUT 30 people had to flee their homes early today after a fire at a garage building containing explosive gas cylinders (Sam Lennon writes).

The neighbouring houses were evacuated when the fire broke out just before 5am at a garage and workshops at Grange Road, Gillingham.

Two small explosions were caused when the intense heat of the fire caused two of the compressed gas cylinders to vent some of their contents.

Firefighters fought the blaze from a safe distance using hoses in case the containers themselves exploded, causing full-blown blasts.

Neighbouring families, who stayed with friends and relatives, have to stay out of the area for 24 hours while the acetylene cylinders are constantly doused with water.

Nobody was hurt in the fire but police are treating it as suspicious.