RESIDENTS evacuated from their homes after a blaze in Colne returned home last night with some left to count the cost of the fire's devastating damage.

The 37 people ushered from their homes were finally allowed back home last night from 6pm.

They had been led away after the discovery of explosive gas cylinders at a garage fire in North Road on Monday night.

Mrs Lorna Tout, 67, of Cook House Road, Colne, who lives in a bungalow with her husband, John, was evacuated and stayed at the Great Marsden Hotel, Nelson, overnight.

She said: "It was absolutely terrifying, there were explosions going off left, right and centre as things like cans of paint caught fire. Smoke was coming through the vents into our house, which was frightening our little dog, Polly, who had to be taken to a nearby kennels overnight.

"It's devastating because one of the garages belonged to me. My brother-in-law, who has just moved in next door but one and is away on holiday, was storing a lot of his property inside the garage ready for the stuff to go inside the house.

"We have lost thousands of pounds worth of property and the building has been destroyed.

"It's completely soul-destroying to see all your property go up in smoke and not being able to do anything about it.

"The emergency services were all fantastic. We were taken to the Byron Street Community Centre where we were looked after by the St John Ambulance, Red Cross, WVS and social workers until we were taken to the hotel where we stayed overnight. We were overwhelmed by their kindness."

Neighbour Bernadette Storey, 59, added: "It's just good to be allowed back into our homes. It was a terrible thing to have happened so I am just glad that nobody was hurt."

Mary Lingard, 52, of North Street, Colne was evacuated and went to stay with nearby family, she said: "I hope they find whoever was responsible for this devastating fire.

"If it had happened later on in the night I dread to think what would have happened because the fire wouldn't have been spotted as soon as it was and it could have been a lot more serious."