Bonfire spreads to fence and three sheds

Firefighters are giving bonfire safety advice after a bonfire spread to a fence and three sheds in Southend last night. 

Crews from Southend and Leigh were called to a garden fire at 2.50am. 

On arrival crews discovered a bonfire which was left unattended and spread to fence and three sheds. 

Watch Manager Ricky Jones said: "Crews worked hard to extinguish the fire and stop it from spreading further. We’ve seen a few incidents this week where bonfires have been set up too close to items that can catch fire. We’d advise you set bonfires up well away from anything they catch alight.

"Please make sure you stay keeping an eye on the bonfire at all times and wait for the embers to be fully cool before you leave it. You can use water to help cool the embers faster.”

If you’re planning to have a bonfire:

• Make sure you site the bonfire well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs
• Never leave the bonfire burning unattended
• Build the stack so that it is stable and will not collapse outwards or to one side
• NEVER use flammable liquids - paraffin or petrol - to light the fire
• Don't burn foam-filled furniture, aerosols, tins of paint and bottles
• Keep everyone away from the fire - especially children, who must be supervised at all times
• Pour water on the embers before leaving

Firefighters will be returning to the area to carry out fire safety checks on homes nearby.