Firefighters were faced with exploding diving cylinders during a garage blaze at Watsonia in Melbourne's north east on Saturday.
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Crews were called to a home in Linacre Street shortly after 2pm after numerous people reported hearing explosions.
MFB Commander David Woods said the homeowner, who was out at the time, had stored a large number of diving cylinders in the garage.
"He does of diving, so the air tanks from that is what caused the explosions," he said. "The garage has got an emergency order on it to be pulled down."
He said the cylinders continued to explode as firefighters battled the blaze.
"A couple did explode," Commander Woods said.
"A couple of paint tins exploded and things like that, so there were a few bangs."
It took 20 firefighters about 45 minutes to bring the fire under control and stop its spread to the adjoining house and a neighbouring property.
Damage has been estimated at about $80,000.
The cause of the blaze is being investigated but it is not deemed suspicious.
