Discarded cigarette catches garden furniture alight

Firefighters are asking smokers to make sure cigarettes are properly stubbed out after a discarded cigarette caused a garden fire in Chelmsford earlier today. 

Crews were called to a garden fire in Church Avenue, Broomfield at 1:20pm.

On arrival, crews reported garden furniture in the garden was 100% alight and worked to prevent the fire spreading to a house. 

Crews believe the fire was caused by a discarded cigarette.

Firefighter Alex Cullen from Chelmsford Fire Station said: “If you smoke, please make sure your cigarette is properly stubbed out before you discard it, especially during the warmer and dryer weather we’ve been having.

“We often see discarded cigarettes causing outdoor fires and wildfires and you can help prevent incidents like these by making sure your cigarettes are properly stubbed out when you discard them.”