Residents return after explosion

Pictures of Bath fire

Up to 250 people who fled their homes after a series of explosions in Bath are being allowed to return.

Four gas canisters blew up at the £360m SouthGate retail development site on Tuesday evening, shooting flames 50ft (15m) into the air.

Up to 10 canisters were left in a potentially dangerous state and people living in nine streets were moved out.

A 150m exclusion zone around the blast site has been lifted and the affected roads have been reopened.

The cordon is now confined to the SouthGate development site itself.

The explosions happened after the fire broke out in the building's third storey at about 1700 BST.

Those evacuated were taken to the Pavilion, an entertainment centre in the city, where council officials set up temporary accommodation.

On Tuesday, eyewitnesses spoke of seeing flames and smoke billowing from the site near Henry Street, by Marks and Spencer.

One said: "I saw black smoke and we heard a few bangs and a series of fairly large explosions."

Station closed

The explosions were caused when a tar heater being used at the site of the shopping development caught fire.

A spokesman from Multi Development UK Ltd said: "A full independent investigation will take place to determine the precise cause of the fire.

"The site is closed today (Wednesday) while the fire service carry out final safety checks, and Sir Robert McAlpine hope to resume normal production within the next 48 hours."

The £360m development had its topping-out ceremony last week and it is hoped the first shops, including a 125,000 sq ft Debenhams store, will open early in 2009.

Bath Spa railway station was forced to close after the explosions but was later reopened.

The SouthGate development scheme will include 417,000 sq ft of shopping space along with more city centre parking.

In total, 56 shops are planned, as well as 93 apartments - 23 of which will be low-cost homes.