RESIDENTS have been evacuated from their homes this morning after a fire broke out at allotments in Oswaldtwistle.

Firefighters were called out to Stanhill Lane at around 2am.

Crews tackled the blaze, which wrecked six sheds and two garages, and dealt with three gas cylinders which exploded.

Residents in 12 houses were told to move to the front of their properties.

Another two homes were evacuated at just before 2.30am.

Police closed Stanhill Lane and set up a 200 metre cordon around the site over fears another gas cylinder could explode.

Watch manager Craig Ethrington, from Hyndburn Fire Station, said: “Police are currently treating the blaze as suspicious and a full investigation is underway.

“No-one was injured during the fire which is due to the expertise and professional of the firefighters as they were able to take quick action.”