DOZENS of families evacuated in Eynsham amid fears gas canisters were about to explode were back home today.

Firefighters were called to a house in Newland Street at about 6am yesterday as a thick plume of smoke rose above the village following a suspected arson attack.

Emergency crews were worried about two gas canisters in the garden shed - described as an "explosive cocktail" of acetylene, carbon dioxide and paints - and evacuated families from nearby properties, including the White Hart pub.

This morning, people were allowed back into their homes as the cylinders were said to be reaching a stable temperature.

Firefighters said contractors were expected to take the canisters away later today.

At 11am the fire service declared that the workshop was safe, but a spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "However this is now a crime scene and both fire and police officers will remain for some time.

"Residents are thanked for their patience and understanding throughout the incident. Anyone with concerns can speak to Thames Valley Police and local authority emergency planning staff at the Newland Inn, Newland Street, until about noon today. After this time people can contact the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505."

Chief Inspector Dennis Evernden, the area commander, said: "This incident has demonstrated the strength of the multi-agency planning process for emergencies and I am pleased it went smoothly and efficiently.

"Sixty addresses were evacuated. A number of these residents stayed with friends or family and 23 people were found overnight accommodation in local hotels.

"We would like to thank the two local schools and the landlord of the Newland Inn, who provided communication and rest facilities. We also thank the media for their assistance in timely communication of our messages."

Mike Smyth, Deputy Chief Fire Officer with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We would like to thank all the residents of Newland Street for their patience, under difficult circumstances, during the past 24 hours.

"It's important to point out that when acetylene cylinders are heated in a fire they become extremely unstable and can detonate in the same way as a high explosive shell, hours after an incident has occurred. They need to be continually cooled for 24 hours before anyone can approach them, to ensure that they won't explode

"Residents' safety is paramount and national guidance tells us that this is the safest way to deal with this type of incident."

At its peak 20 firefighters were tackling the blaze.

One villager who woke up after smoke drifted in through her open bedroom window, took pictures of the blaze.

She heard minor bangs and then what she described as a massive explosion.

"I could see the smoke going right up into the sky and thought it must be serious," she said.

"It was so dramatic, I had to take some pictures on my camera. There were police and fire engines everywhere. With those explosions I thought people could have been killed."

By the afternoon, the county's emergency officer John Kelly decided the evacuation zone should be extended.

Families were taken to a makeshift centre at Bartholomew School, as firefighters attempted to cool down the gas cylinders.

The Newlands Inn, about 100 metres from the scene of the fire, became a temporary canteen for the firefighters and 20 police officers.

Chief Inspector Evernden said: "One of the first things we did was to check on nearby homes to see if everyone was fine, and there were no injuries."

Firefighters used hose reels at a safe distance from the shed, pouring in thousands of gallons to cool down the gas cylinders.

At about 2pm a police helicopter using thermal imaging equipment found the cylinders were still too hot.

Street closures were in place in Beech Road, Hawthorn Road, Mill Street and Queen Street as well as Newland Street.

Police officers were brought in from Aylesbury Vale to help deal with the situation, supervising evacuation, providing reassurance on the street and escorting children from local schools after 3pm.

Newlands Inn landlord Russell Trotman said: "It's very busy, but we're coping."

He was woken up at 6am yesterday by police officers banging on his door.

"I didn't hear the explosions, probably because this is a 600-year-old building with thick walls," he said.

"But they told me to stay indoors and make sure my guests all did the same. Everyone in the village is talking about it."

A man was later arrested on suspicion of arson and bailed by police who said he had been handed over to 'another agency'.