MORE than 200 residents in Ashton-in-Makerfield were evacuated from their homes when three overheating gas cylinders were in danger of exploding.

Fire crews were called to a garden shed in Bolton Road at 7am yesterday and decided to evacuate houses in the area.

A 200-yard cordon was put around the site as the cylinders were cooled by hoses. Residents were expected to return to their houses today.