Incinerator causes garden fire

Firefighters have issued safety advice after a garden fire in Leigh.

Crews from Southend and Rayleigh Weir attended Stonehill Drive last night at 11.26pm after 50ft of fencing, decking and two sheds caught fire.

Crew Manager David Garratt said: "The occupant had been burning garden waste in a small incinerator. He thought he had let it burn out and went back into his house, but unfortunately it set fire to a fence and quickly spread.

"He was alerted when the electric in the house tripped, due to fire damage to wiring in the shed.

"Crews worked really quickly to overcome access issues and stop the fire spreading to a large conifer next to the house."

Crews extinguished the fire by 12.15am.

Crew Manager Garratt said: "If you need to burn waste in your garden, make sure the fire is completely out before you leave it. Do not start bonfires, incinerators or barbecues close to anything that might catch fire.

"If it starts burning out of control, don't try and tackle it yourself - get somewhere safe and call 999."

Bonfire safety advice   

• Set up bonfires well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs 
• Never leave bonfires burning unattended 
• Don't use flammable liquids to light the fire
• Pour water on the embers before leaving   

For more bonfire safety advice, visit: essex-fire.gov.uk/bonfires