DEVASTATED householders whose Isleworth gardens were ravaged by a fire on Monday night are blaming the authorities for failing to clear rubbish.

Ten properties in Worple Avenue, Isleworth were evacuated as fire-fighters tackled the blaze from 8pm.

Three garden sheds were damaged and the back gardens of a number of homes were completely destroyed after fly-tipped rubbish went up in flames.

Marion Dearden, 65, had between £10,000 and £15,000 worth of tools in her garden shed destroyed by the fire which she believes was started by a mattress in the access alley connecting Worple Avenue and Woodstock Alley.

"It was absoloutley horrendous – really dreadful. It's complete devastation, not just the sheds but our entire back gardens and fences. I am scared to leave the house as our back gardens are now completely exposed, anyone could just walk in."

Four fire-engines and around 20 fire-fighters from Heston, Richmond and Kingston tackled the blaze which they had under control by 10.23pm.

A fire brigade spokesman said: "Around eight cylinders were involved in the fire and a temporary hazard zone was set up around the affected area as a precaution. Some cylinders can explode when exposed to heat."

Although the fire-brigade are still investigating the cause of the fire, grandmother of one; Marion, believes that it may have been children smoking in the back alley which caused the mattress to go up in flames.

"There are always youngsters hanging around back there because they are away from prying eyes. A fireman told me he thinks it was the mattress that has gone up. The council only came to take pictures of it on Saturday, I can't believe that even though they had two days to clear it nothing was done. Now look what's happened.

"I just thank god that my grand-daughter wasn't here with her school friends when it happened. They would normally be playing in the pool in the back garden at that time, but she was rehearsing for a play."