THIS is the moment a garden shed turned into a huge fireball just metres from a school in Clacton.

The blaze broke out in Walton Road at about 8pm yesterday, next to Clacton County High School.

Billy Price, 17, was playing basketball at the school when the fire started.

He captured the drama on his mobile phone.

A series of explosions can clearly be seen on the video footage.

"I was in the gym at the time playing basketball," said Billy.

"Everyone rushed out, saying there's a fire.

"When we came out of the gym you could see a massive, thick black smoke cloud.

"We weren't sure if it was bad or just looked bad until we got closer.

"Then you could see red ash above the trees. When we got closer you could see gas canisters packed up against the fence of the garden.

"I think the fire brigade were trying to move them but they kept exploding."

People can be seen rushing to move their cars on Billy's video.

The Year 13 student said: "Everyone had to move their cars from the car park.

"It was surprising the fire didn't spread further because it was that huge.

"It was going for at least 30 minutes - it was very bad. We were only 10-20m away from it.

"You could feel the heat - especially when the canisters were exploding."

Essex Fire and Rescue said two crews from Clacton tackled the blaze, which was out by 8.35pm.

A spokesman said the cause was accidental.