Street cordoned off after car explodes inside garage

[dutchman]

Homes and businesses had to be evacuated after a fire broke out at garages in Coventry this afternoon.

Fire crews were called to Walsgrave Road, Stoke, just after 2pm after reports that a car had exploded in garages near to Shakespeare Street.

Five fire engines were sent to the scene and firefighters used breathing apparatus to tackle the blaze, while police closed off Walsgrave Road to traffic in both directions and set up diversions.

The garages, which are believed to have been used for motor repair work, and the surrounding area were cordoned off due to the presence of gas canisters.

Stoke Park School and Community College was inside the cordoned off area, but pupils were allowed to leave as normal with parents picking them up from Dane Road.

A number of buses were also been diverted from their usual route by the blaze and sent along Binley Road and Burns Road.

Police reopened the roads at around 4.40pm.