Two chimney fires in 30 minutes

Crews have issued safety advice after they extinguished two separate chimney fires in the space of 30 minutes in Great Wakering.

Firefighters from Shoeburyness and Southend were called to Twyford Avenue yesterday (Tuesday 15 March) at 5.39pm. They used chimney rods to extinguish the fire by 6.23pm.

At 6.10pm, we received a called to a chimney fire in Alexandra Road. Firefighters from Southend used a hose reel to extinguish the fire by 6.56pm.

Watch Manager Ian Lighton, from Shoeburyness Fire Station, said: "The fact we had two incidents in such a short space of time highlights the importance of having your chimney inspected and cleaned regularly."

Chimney safety advice

• Have your chimney swept at least once a year, or more frequently if you burn wood
• Do not stack fires too high and remember to let them burn down well before you go to bed
• Use a fire or spark guard
• Inspect your chimney regularly - particularly in the roof space - to ensure that it is sound and that sparks or fumes cannot escape through cracks or broken bricks
• Avoid burning woods that contain lots of resin because it causes soot to build up quickly. Use seasoned timber in solid fuel stoves

For more information and safety advice, visit essex-fire.gov.uk/chimney

Could you be an on-call firefighter?

Firefighters from Shoeburyness Fire Station are on-call firefighters. They live or work within 5 minutes of an on-call fire station and attend incidents.

Could you be an on-call firefighter and be paid to protect your community?

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