Exmouth garage fire - latest picture shows extent of damage

THIS picture shows the devastation caused by the inferno which 24-hours ago ripped through Exmouth's R and R Motors, resulting in hundreds of people being evacuated from their homes.

THIS picture shows the devastation caused by the inferno which 24-hours ago ripped through Exmouth's R and R Motors, resulting in hundreds of people being evacuated from their homes.

The drama unfolded on Friday lunchtime when a fire broke out at the Victoria Way garage - nearby homes were evacuated and the area was cordoned off when the acetylene and gas cylinders inside the garage began exploding in the extreme heat.

Eight fire crews battled through Friday afternoon to tackle the raging blaze, eventually bringing the fire under control by around 4pm.

Muffled bangs could be heard coming from the garage each time a cylinder exploded.

Fire crews kept watch throughout the night, training water on the remaining cylinders in a bid to stop any further explosions.

The last acetylene cylinder was removed this morning by specialists, allowing police crime and fire investigation officers to visit the site to begin sifting through the debris.

The building was earlier visited by a local authority inspector, who gave the go ahead for the clean-up campaign to begin.

Victoria Way remained closed to the public while this was carried out, but the area was reopened by around 3pm.

Yesterday's fire brought the town to a standstill as large plumes of black acrid smoke poured from the stricken garage.

No one was injured in the blaze.

For the full story and photographs see Thursday's Journal