Hackney Wick came to a standstill on Monday, when roads and businesses were evacuated, in case gas cylinders inside a burning workshop exploded.

Hackney Wick came to a standstill yesterday (Monday), when roads and businesses were evacuated, in case gas cylinders inside a burning workshop exploded.

It took four fire crews two hours to control the blaze at vehicle repair company, East London Commercials, in Wallis Road.

A fire brigade spokesman confirmed that the cylinders contained enough unstable gas to explode and fragment, risking serious injury and extensive damage.

The fire started around 11.30am and fire crews remained on the scene for 24 hours, until the cylinders returned to a safe temperature.

Vehicle mechanic Steven Spencer, 32, of Romford, said: “Within ten minutes the whole place was engulfed.

“One of the other guys tried to save the vehicle, but he was about two feet away from the flames and I just shouted at him to get out of there.”

London Fire Brigade is investigating the cause of the fire which is not being treated as suspicious.