Police cleared the houses, on Hilltop and on Frickley Bridge Lane, at around 3.20pm on Friday so that a 200-metre cordon could be put around the acetylene cylinder, which had to be cooled down for 24 hours to prevent an explosion.

The surrounding roads were also closed while more than 30 firefighters tackled the blaze and doused the cylinder with cooling water jets.

The owner of the van, who had tried to tackle the blaze, was taken to hospital with minor smoke inhalation and a firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion.

Residents were allowed to return to their homes at just after 1am on Sunday morning.

Joyce Hughes, who lives next door to the van owner, said: “We were sitting in the back garden when we saw smoke so were aware that there was a fire. It was a bit of a surprise when the police told us there was a gas cylinder in the van and that we had to get out.

“Of course we were worried about our house and what might happen if the cylinder exploded, but I think the firefighters did a swift and efficient job of keeping it under control. We were kept well informed about what was happening.”

David Parkinson, 32, said: “I was evacuated on the Friday and told it would be for 24 hours. I spent the night in a caravan and then went home. I was allowed to run in and get some clothes but I had to leave again and wasn’t allowed back in until early Sunday morning.

“I was worried about what would happen to my house if the gas cylinder exploded and it didn’t help that I didn’t really know what was going on. We could have been better informed, I think.”

A fire service spokesman said: “Everything has now been resolved and the residents have returned to their homes. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

“When cylinders are involved in a fire it is standard procedure to evacuate residents for their safety while the cylinder cools for 24 hours.

“Acetylene is one of the most dangerous gases so the evacuation and cordon was a necessary precaution.”

A 28-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of arson was later released on police bail.