DOZENS of people were evacuated from their Mirfield homes because of a garage blaze.

Residents were urged to leave as police and fire chiefs feared gas cylinders inside the workshops could explode.

It meant many people had to spend the night away from their homes, as police threw a 200-metre security cordon around the blazing premises last night.

Most of those who left their homes following the start of the fire in Savile Place yesterday afternoon were able to stay with friends and relatives.

But some were given shelter at Mirfield Sports Centre in Kitson Hill Road before being bussed to local hotels to spend the night.

A major emergency planning operation involving fire officers, police, ambulance personnel and Kirklees Council swung into top gear shortly after the blaze was discovered at 1.30pm.

Firefighters from Mirfield, Dewsbury and Batley were called to the scene and found the entire 20m x 10m building well ablaze.

This picture was snet to us by Examiner reader Alan Pollard.

They discovered acetylene cylinders inside and feared a huge explosion.

Fire officer Steve Sealey said: “It is certainly a major incident and a very volatile situation.

“The fire crews have had to withdraw for safety reasons and we are using remote ground monitors which are pouring water on to the blaze.

“The acetylene cylinders could explode at any time and our main concern was the safety of the immediate community and our fire crews.

“The emergency planning operation worked very well. Police called at every house within a 200 metre radius and advised people to leave their homes.

“It is not mandatory and some did choose to stay, but others did leave. It seems likely the situation will continue for at least 24 hours”.

Police confirmed that a number of roads around Savile Place, including Lee Green and Bank Road had been closed and all traffic diverted.

Many of those who left their homes were given shelter and hot drinks at Mirfield Sports Centre.

Pensioners Norris and Joan Crowe live only yards from the garage in Savile Place.

Mrs Crowe said: “We saw smoke pouring past the window and looked out to see the garage on fire.

“Police were there within minutes and told us to leave, so we grabbed our dog Lexus and came up to the sports centre. We don’t know when we will be back home”.

Mrs Julie Hand was at home in Lea Green with daughter Jaimie, nine, when she heard the sirens.

“My house is very near and when I went outside you could see all the thick, black smoke.

“They said there are gas cylinders inside that could explode, so it is better to be safe than sorry”.

Newsagent Mittal Singh was forced to close up his shop in Lea Green and move to the centre with his family.

He said: “I don’t know when we will get back”.

Last night, six hours after the blaze was discovered, fire officers confirmed the premises were still on fire.

Clr Kath Taylor, of Mirfield Town Council, was at the sports centre where volunteers were handing out cups of tea and coffee.

Doctors from Huddersfield Royal Infirmary were also on hand in case of medical problems.

Clr Taylor said: “It is very worrying but it has shown that the planning for emergencies does work.

“People are concerned about their homes but there is a big risk. Many of the people living in that part of Mirfield are elderly.”