Up to 200 householders evacuated after a dramatic gas cylinder explosion have been allowed back home.

Road blocks and a 200-metre cordon were lifted at 10.42am yesterday, 24 hours after the alert at Cinque Ports Way, near the seafront at St Leonards.

It was sparked when a parked white van containing a 4ft acetylene gas cylinder caught alight at 11am on Thursday.

It exploded, engulfing the van and the surrounding area in dense smoke and hurling fragments metres into nearby buildings.

No one was hurt but residents were evacuated from their homes.

Initially it was not clear whether the acetylene had exploded as firefighters could not get close enough.

Experts warned that under intense heat cylinders could turn into a fireball.

Emergency planning routines were put into action involving police, the borough council, the fire and ambulance service and rail authorities.

Road cordons and diversions were set up and trains between Hastings and Bexhill halted, with passengers switched to buses.

Motorists were diverted at the bottom of Harley Shute Road to the west of town and up London Road to the east.

Evacuated householders were taken initially to the Masonic Hall, off St Leonards seafront, and up to 40 unable to stay elsewhere were put up by Hastings Borough Council at the three-star Royal Victoria Hotel at the Marina, St Leonards.

They were given the all-clear to return home yesterday morning after bomb disposal experts were called in.

Remote-controlled camera equipment containing cameras were used to verify the cylinder had exploded through the side of the van.

The emergency services last night thanked the public for their help and said the threat of danger was serious.

Hastings district commander Chief Inspector Trevor Bowles said: "We did not take the decision to evacuate residents and close the main transport networks lightly. The risk from this cylinder was substantial.

"The expert advice which we obtained indicated that an acetylene cylinder in this condition was at very serious risk of exploding. The fireball could have been substantial.

"I am very grateful to all the residents, businesses and the travelling public for their understanding".

The van driver, employed by Stevenage utility services provider Morrison, was working at a Southern Water pumping station.

A spokesman said: "He hasn't been injured and Morrison is carrying out a full investigation."