People evacuated from their homes and offices yesterday after the fire in Battersea may be able to return this afternoon, according to police facilitator Peter Barthorpe.

Pensbury Place and Pensbury Street were evacuated for 24 hours after the fire, which broke out at European Metals - a breakers' yard close to railway lines near Wandsworth Road.

After putting out the fire firefighters discovered gas cylinders at the scene - which can explode up to 24 hours after being exposed to heat.

Mr Barthorpe said: "The earliest we can look at the incident is 2.45pm. We will do the tests and will hopefully collapse the scene at some point this afternoon, so people can return."

He could not confirm the number of households evacuated but said that the temporary housing put on by the council in a local hall had not been used.

Clare Kahn, office manager at Boundary Autos in Pensbury Place, said she was scared about the prospect of a gas explosion.

She said: "The police gave us leaflets telling us about gas explosions when they were trying to get us to vacate the premises. After seeing what had happened before with the gas explosion in Hemel Hempstead, it was frightening for us."

But she was optimistic about an early return.

"We lost a bit of trade because we had to close early but hopefully it will be business as usual on Monday," she said.

Some trains traveling through Battersea, including all Eurostar services, are likely to be disrupted until 5pm today as a result of a lineside fire.

All Southeastern trains to and from Victoria have also been diverted as a result of the blaze.

But services from Victoria which operate via Clapham Junction are operating normally.

Travellers should check for the latest news on eurostar.com or contact 08705 186 186.

A Eurostar spokesman said passengers who are unable to travel can exchange tickets within two months, or have their tickets refunded.

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