Several flights into Jersey airport were cancelled after explosions and a fire at a hotel caused a cloud of black smoke to drift over the island.
The blaze destroyed the Broadlands Hotel, a staff accommodation block and outbuildings in Mont Fallu, St Peter.
Gas canisters were stored on site, and they could be the cause of the blasts.
Crews had to pull back due to fears of further blasts and a firefighter was treated for burns. It is thought flights will resume in the morning.
About 60 people were evacuated from the area, a 200m cordon put in place and a nearby swimming pool drained to help tackle the blaze.
Jersey Fire Service group manager Martin Maguire said most of the crews had been pulled back during the blaze due to the presence of dangerous chemicals and acetylene cylinders.
"We are scaling down operations, the buildings have now been completely destroyed.
"When we get the opportunity we will go in and assess the situation.
"We have no reports of any casualties from members of the public, one fireman was treated for burns."
It remained unclear what caused the fire which is thought to have started in a recycling plant at the back of the hotel.
Polish worker Eric Bernard who was staying in the guest house, told BBC News: "I heard a big bang. I only had time to get my passport.
"We were watching TV when we heard two loud bangs""I felt horrible leaving it all, but I've lost everything. I will probably be sleeping in my car tonight.
"Others were not so lucky, they lost their cars as well."
Alison Page-Brown who lives about a mile away, said: "We were watching TV when we heard two loud bangs.
"A few minutes later I went upstairs and saw the smoke from a window at the back of our house."
Chief fire officer Mark James said: "The fire broke out in the buildings surrounding the hotel.
"The airport has closed due to the close proximity of the fire and the amount of smoke.
"We are also evacuating the area as some of the buildings, which are mainly workshops, contain asbestos."
Airport managers said a decision would be taken on Tuesday morning about whether flights would be able to leave and arrive.
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