More than 20 people were evacuated in the early hours when fire threatened to turn gas cylinders into bombs.

They were led to safety as fire tore through a commercial garage near their homes.

Evacuees were drifting back to their homes yesterday afternoon as firefighters continued damping down debris.

Police suspect the fire at Brookhill Garage in Brookhill Road, Copthorne, Crawley, was started deliberately but stressed their inquiries were continuing.

Six cars and much of the wood-built garage were destroyed, causing tens of thousands of pounds damage.

More than 50 people dialled 999 at 4am yesterday. The discovery of liquid petroleum gas and acetylene gas cylinders on the premises and the danger of explosions forced West Sussex firefighters to impose a 200m exclusion zone round the building.

Police closed roads and residents, including babies and pensioners, were taken to a nearby hotel. More than 50 firefighters from Crawley, Horley, Turners Hill, East Grinstead, Steyning, Chichester, Hurstpierpoint and Burgess Hill tackled the blaze.

Firefighter Paul Archer said: "It was a very dangerous situation and we trained hoses on the building from a safe distance in case of explosion."

Residents were given shelter and refreshments by staff at the Copthorne Hotel (London Gatwick) and by Red Cross volunteers from Haywards Heath, Littlehampton and Hastings.

Richard Bolden, Red Cross fire and emergency support volunteer, said: "The evacuees were distressed but the hotel made things much better, they gave them teas and coffees and set aside a rest area for them completely free of charge. The evacuees had dressed before leaving their homes but we provided extras including toothbrushes and toothpaste."

A Sussex Police spokeswoman last night said: "The fire is being treated as suspicious but this is more a matter of routine until we can get inside the building and make a thorough examination."

She appealed to witnesses to call Crawley police on 0845 6070999.

The Red Cross appealed for more fire and emergency volunteers in the Haywards Heath, Hastings and Littlehampton areas to call Paul Truluck on 01273 227802.