Incident

Bonfire causes fire at storage unit

Crews have issued safety advice after a bonfire set a storage unit alight in Canvey.

We were called to Northwick Road yesterday (Friday) at 6.52pm and crews from Canvey, Southend and Rayleigh Weir attended, along with a Water Bowser, to supply high quantities of water, from Corringham.

A bonfire burnt out of control, with high winds fanning the flames, and set fire to a storage container, measuring around 15 metres by 40 metres.

Crews prevented the fire from destroying nearby cattle stables and extinguished it by 8.24pm.

The incident is a reminder to follow our advice if you are having a bonfire:

  • Make sure your bonfire is set well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs
  • Do not build it too high and risk it collapsing
  • Never leave the bonfire burning unattended
  • Do not use flammable liquids, such as paraffin or petrol, to light the fire
  • Make sure the embers are fully extinguished before you leave it
Closed
Incident number
274593
Location
Northwich Road, Canvey
Date
6.52pm - 16 May 2025