RESIDENTS were evacuated from their homes last night after a fire that started on an industrial estate spread to gardens and sheds.

Families whose homes back on to the Acorn Industrial Estate in Shirley Warren were woken by the sounds of exploding paint pots and aerosols as the fire spread to sheds and fencing.

Around 25 firefighters were called to tackle the blaze that is thought to have started at the CML Auto unit within the estate. Three cars and a derelict ambulance were also destroyed in the fire that started just before midnight last night.

Watch manager Rob Burns of Redbridge fire station said: “When we arrived we were being waved in by residents. After an initial investigation it was clear the fire was over a bigger area than we first though so I called for back up.”

Residents were evacuated after gas canisters were discovered. However, after half an hour all the families were allowed to return home.

The cause of the fire is now under investigation.