Chiminea causes garden fire

Firefighters were called to a garden fire in Rochford earlier today after embers from a chiminea spread to two outbuildings and fence panels.

On arrival, crews reported that two outbuildings were 100% alight and the fire had spread to fence panels.

Crews extinguished the fire by 4:32pm.

Garden fires - don't take the risk!

If you're planning on having a fire in your garden, remember to follow our advice:

• Site it 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

Could you be an on-call firefighter?

Rochford’s firefighters are on-call firefighters who all live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station and are paid to protect their local community.

If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter. Find out more about the role at join.essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call