Hundreds of people were evacuated after a blaze in a garage sparked fears of a major explosion.

Firefighters feared highly-flammable cyclinders would blow up, creating a blast which could engulf neighbouring homes.

Police evacuated dozens of houses within a 200m-radius of the blaze in New Malvern Service Station in Hove, yesterday.

Up to 50 of the 200 evacuees were forced to spend the night in makeshift beds in nearby Hove Town Hall.

Crowds watched as 60ft flames rose from the garage roof after balls of fire blasted out of the windows, forcing back firefighters.

More than 50 firefighters from across Sussex were called to fight the blaze.

Emergency services said the acetylene cylinders inside the garage in Westbourne Street and Montgomery Street were a potential "ticking bomb", which could ignite under the intense heat. East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service said there were several dangerous cylinders and police classed the fire as a major incident.

Senior divisional officer Adrian Brown, said: "Acetylene cannisters are extremely dangerous and flammable and if they catch fire, can fly like a rocket for up to 200m with flames coming out the back.

"We've assessed the site and the residents are going to be evacuated for a minimum of 24 hours. We are working with Brighton and Hove City Council to find alternative accommodation for those affected."

Garage owner Barry Williams watched in horror as the business he ran for 27 years went up in flames.

Mr Williams did not want to talk about the incident last night but his daughter Shirley Williams said he was lucky to escape.

She said a half-ton crane fell on him last week but he managed to roll out of the way and ended up only losing the tip of his finger.

Ms Williams said: "He's lost his business now.

January's obviously not a good month for him."

Two acetylene cylinders inside the garage blew up and fire crews feared a major explosion if the rest of the cylinders ignited.

Craig Able, of Montgomery Street, said: "I heard an explosion at about 4.30pm. The next thing I knew, there were flames coming out of the roof. The fire brigade turned up and told everyone to get out."

Alex Maxwell-Stuart, of Westbourne Street, said: "We ran past the garage and saw the door alight. There was a big explosion and flames coming from the roof. It then all died down. Five minutes later there was another big bang."

Chris Niall, 25, was on his way home to Durrington at about 4.30pm when he noticed the blaze.

He said: " You could see two cars were ablaze inside and there was a large fire at the rear of the building.

"There were two explosions and one resulted in a large fireball coming out of one of the downstairs windows causing the firefighters to retreat.

"There was a large crowd and they had to be moved back. The local roads were clouded with dense smoke."

Pru Heron, co-director of Commercial Finance People, in nearby Portland Road, rushed to the garage because she had parked her car round the corner.

She said: "The smoke was really heavy. Having cannisters involved made it all the more dangerous."

Firefighters were called out to the fire at 4.17pm.

The area and surrounding roads are expected to remain closed until 7pm today, commuters are being warned to expect delays.

Two fire crews from Brighton fought the blaze but crews from Lewes, Barnham, Newhaven, Uckfield, Hove and Eastbourne were called to the scene.