Bonfire spreads to outbuilding

Crews have issued safety advice after a bonfire spread to an outbuilding and fence.

Firefighters were called to Bournemouth Park Road, Southend yesterday (Monday) at 8.30pm after a passer-by spotted a fire in a garden.

Southend's crews were quickly on the scene and extinguished the fire before it took hold, with damage limited to a shed and fence being scorched.

Watch Manager Dan Hart said: "The bonfire was too large to safely control and the windy conditions meant it spread even more quickly. 

"The occupant tried to douse it with a small garden hose but it was insufficient.

"The fire could have caused much more damage so it is important you know your limits if you start a bonfire."

Crews fully extinguished the fire by 9.08pm.

Bonfire safety advice

• Site the bonfire well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs
• Build a small and stable stack that you can control and will not collapse
• Avoid lighting the bonfire if it is windy because sparks and smoke could blow out of control
• Don't leave the bonfire burning unattended
• 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 it