Discarded cigarette fire spreads to houses

Firefighters were called to a rubbish fire in Witham earlier today that spread to fence panels and two houses.

Crews were called to Hemingway Road, Witham at 4:11pm.

On arrival, firefighters reported that a rubbish fire had spread to fence panels, a house and was beginning to affect a neighbour's house.

Firefighters worked quickly to contain the fire and prevent it spreading further.

Crews extinguished the fire by 4:30pm and believe it was caused by a discarded cigarette

Watch Manager Andy Mott from Witham Fire Station said: “Please make sure all cigarettes are properly stubbed out before you discard them. It’s still hot and dry across the county and it only takes an ember to start a fire when everything’s dry. Thanks to quick action from crews, this fire was prevented from taking hold of the houses.”

Could you be an on-call firefighter?

Rochford and Witham’s firefighters are on-call firefighters, who live or work within 5 minutes of the station and are paid to protect their community. 

If you live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station, you could be an on-call firefighter too. 

Find out more about the role and how to apply at join.essex-fire.gov.uk/on-call