Neighbours who live opposite a petrol station where an ATM was blown up in a burglary attempt last night said the force of the explosion was so powerful they thought their building would collapse. 

These pictures show the wreckage from the blast at the Shell Garage in Denham Green, which was strewn over a wide area and a door was even blown off its hinges and sent flying across the other side of the road.

Eye witness Sharon Cassidy described the terrifying moment an "almighty bang" shook her flat in Foxmoor Court, opposite the garage, during the dramatic events around 11.30pm.

She then watched on dazed as armed police swooped on the scene. 

Police say it was a ‘gas attack’ burglary attempt on the cash point at the garage on North Orbital Road.

Ms Cassidy, who said she regularly uses the ATM opposite her house, told the BFP: "About half 11 there was an almighty loud explosion. At first we thought it was a crane collapsing from the building site next door.

"It completely shook the flats, we have a basement car park and at one point I thought the flats would collapse it was that strong.

"I looked out of the front and the next thing I know armed police were wrestling someone to the floor shouting ‘get down’, and it looked like they’d Tasered him.

"The explosion has literally taken the whole side out. I just thought it was something out of a film, you don’t think it can happen to you, it’s like it’s not real in a way.

"It is the only cash machine in the area where it is free to geet cash out, we use it all the time. It’s scary, and I’ve got my children coming to stay this weekend."

Another neighbour Simon Tullett said the explosion caused “devastation” and said the whole episode was “mad”.

Emergency services raced to the Shell petrol station after the ATM was blown up in the attack.

Officers say the tactic of using gas canisters to open cash machines has been used in Mainland Europe for several years but is thought to be relatively new to Britain.

The Met Police's Flying Squad said it was lucky no one was badly hurt in the attack.

Three men, aged 42, 39 and 36, have been arrested on suspicion of burglary after being arrested by Met officers in an intelligence-led operation at around 11.40pm.

A 42-year-old man sustained a minor injury and was taken to a north London hospital for treatment before being discharged. 

All three are in custody at a west London police station.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Staff, from the Flying Squad, said: “Last night's gas attack caused a significant amount of damage to the petrol station and a number of cars that were parked nearby.

“It is only a matter of luck that no innocent members of the public were hurt.

“The Flying Squad is dedicated to targeting and arresting criminals who carry out robberies and burglaries.

“Although the men were not armed, the equipment they used put people at risk and we should be reassured by these arrests.”

Bucks Fire and Rescue confirmed firefighters from Gerrards Cross isolated the petrol pumps following the explosion.