Residents were evacuated from their homes as more than 30 firefighters battled a massive blaze at an industrial site in Chalfont St Giles overnight.

At least four explosions were heard after Oxy-acetylene cylinders blew up at Little Stivers, opposite Windmill Farm, in Bowstridge Lane. 

Four portable buildings and a car were on fire when  the six fire crews arrived at the scene at 9.24pm. 

Firefighters were forced to withdraw to a safe distance after the tenant on the site, which was a former agricultural site, warned them there were Oxy-acetylene cylinders present.

Several nearby houses had to be evacuated for the night.

Bowstridge Lane is currently closed both ways due to smoke blowing across the road from last night's fire. 

Six fire crews; one from Gerrards Cross, two from Beaconsfield, one from Amersham, Slough and another from Rickmansworth attended the scene, using ground monitors and jets to tackle the blaze.

Denis Melia, station commander, said: “These are commonly used in welding operations and are extremely hazardous in fire situations due to their high propensity to explode violently when exposed to heat. During the incident, these and a number of other gas cylinders exploded. 

“Hose reel jet monitors were set up which provided a method of putting water on to the fire without exposing crews to danger.”

Multiple 999 calls were received and concerned residents took to Twitter to express their shock, with one describing the fire as 'absolutely terrifying'.

Fire crews are still on the scene more than 10 hours later and the cause of the fire is being investigated.

The blaze is believed to have affected power in the area after one explosion brought down an overhead power line, which then ignited a hedgerow.

A turntable ladder from High Wycombe and a water tanker from Princes Risborough also provided assistance and a police helicopter was at the scene to provide information on the size of the blaze.