More than 50 people had to be evacuated from their homes this morning after a fire ripped through a a scrapyard in Stratton Strawless, near Norwich.

A 200m cordon has been put in place around the site in Short Thorn Road, after a fire broke out in a workshop just after midnight.

Families were only allowed back into their homes at 7.30am after spending much of the night at the village hall for their own safety while fire crews battled the blaze which has gutted several cars at the site.

At the height of the blaze more than 50 fire-fighters were on scene.

Crews from Aylsham, Sprowston, Earlham, Norwich, Reepham, Wroxham, North Walsham and the high volume pump from Thetford with the water carrier from Hethersett with the Control Unit from Wymondham were sent to the industrial premises.

Fire crews remain on scene and are expected to be there until about 10am. Roads around the site are still cordoned off.

The cordon was set up because there are gas canisters on the site.

send your pictures of the blaze to reporter David Bale at www.david.bale2@archant.co.uk.