A fire chief has praised the “excellent” work of firefighters who spent over three hours tackling a blaze which destroyed two garages, one of which contained an acetylene cylinder, and several sheds in Wivenhoe.

East Anglian Daily Times: Firefighters tackling a blaze in Heath Road, Wivenhoe involving two garages and several garden sheds one of which contained gas cylinders. Picture: wivenhoewatcher.comFirefighters tackling a blaze in Heath Road, Wivenhoe involving two garages and several garden sheds one of which contained gas cylinders. Picture: wivenhoewatcher.com (Image: Archant)

Four fire engines and a water bowser were called to the fire involving two garages and several garden sheds in Heath Road shortly after 3pm today. Smoke could be seen for “several miles”, the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said.

Properties were evacuated for standard safety reasons as a 200-metre cordon was put in place immediately by firefighters.

The fire, which also affected some trees, was put out at 6.30pm.

No houses were damaged and no injuries have been reported.

Incident Command Scott Meekings said in a statement: “The fire is now out. The acetylene cylinder involved in the fire is being cooled with water and is being monitored by firefighters uisng a thermal imaging camera.

“We will continue to monitor the cylinder until it is completely cooled. The corden will remain in place for approximately another two hours, although we hope to reduce the corden shortly to let some residents furthest away from the property back to their houses.

“Firefighters have done an excellent job to stop this rapidly spreading fire affecting any of the houses. Two garages and several sheds have been destroyed.”

An investigation will be carried out to establish the cause of the fire.

The cordon was lifted at 7pm, allowing all residents to return home.