VILLAGERS have voiced concerns over the future of a petrol station destroyed by fire following an explosion.

Fifty families were evacuated from their homes for almost 36 hours last Wednesday after a gas cylinder exploded at Sutton Courtenay Tyres.

About a dozen residents attended the parish council meeting in the Village Hall, last night to express their worries.

They are concerned the future of site at the end of High Street, at the Milton Road and Harwell Road roundabout in the village.

Yvonne Cocking, 71, who lives next door to the garage, said: "It was such a shock, my house would have gone up if the wind had been in the wrong direction.

"I think residents just want assurance this is not going to happen again. We want to see the plans and see how it is going to be built.

"The future safety of nearby residents was considered of paramount importance but some were also concerned about the effect the incident may have on property values."

Parish councillors urged residents to address their concerns to the Vale of White Horse District council planning departments.

Nick Hardcastle, property manager for Leda Properties which owns Sutton Courtenay Tyres, said: "We are definitely looking to rebuild the garage as a petrol station and tyre sales business."

"This has had a catastrophic effect on the business. We are trying to work out if we need planning permission to rebuild the garage.

"We are making the best of what we can in servicing our customers at Tyre Sales Abingdon in Marcham Road for the time being.

"The three tyre fitters are working from our Abingdon base and our three other part-time staff who man the shop and sales, are not working.

"I am not sure what is going to happen there."

Mr Hardcastle could not estimate the cost of the damage.

He said a loss adjuster had been out to assess the site. He said it could be autumn before the site is operational again.