Fire pit embers cause house to catch alight

Crews have issued safety advice after embers from a fire pit set a house alight.

We were called to Hilltop, Loughton today at 6.46am and crews from Loughton and Waltham Abbey attended.

A man in his forties suffered smoke inhalation and burns after tackling the fire.

Watch Manager Glenn Jackson said: "The cause was found to be smouldering embers, which had been used in a fire pit in the garden the night before.

"The fire pit had been left next to garden furniture and set it alight. The fire then spread to a fence, wood pile and part of the house.

"Incidents like this show how important it is to ensure your coals or wood or anything used in a fire pit or barbecue are completely cool before you move or dispose of them.

"It could take up to 48 hours for embers to be completely cool, but you can speed it up by pouring water over them and completely submerging them.

"I'd like to praise our crews for their efforts in extinguishing the fire, particularly because access was difficult. Thankfully the fire only damaged part of the roof and outside of an extension."

"Please do not try and tackle a fire yourself; get to a place of safety and call 999."

The fire was fully extinguished by 7.41pm.