Weed burner fire spreads to homes and sheds

Crews have issued safety advice after a fire started by a weed burner damaged three homes and four sheds.

Firefighters from Basildon and Orsett were called to Gaywood, Laindon today (Wednesday 8 September) at 2.01pm.

The occupant had been burning weeds and accidentally started a fire which rapidly spread.

Watch Manager Adam Barber said: "The occupant was using a weed burner but set fire to some leaves. Because it is so hot and dry, it quickly spread to a fence and then set alight four sheds and effected three homes.

"Crews had to work exceptionally hard in really hot conditions to stop the fire spreading any further."   

Crews fully extinguished the fire by 3.28pm. The four sheds were destroyed and the three homes sustained fire and heat damage to the fascias and windows.

It is the second fire caused by a weed burner that crews have attended this week.

Firefighters from Maldon and South Woodham Ferrers were called to Gloucester Avenue, Maldon on Monday afternoon after a fire started by a weed burner set a shed alight and left a man with burns.

Watch Manager Barber said: "With the mini heatwave we're experiencing, everything is really dry and the risk of outdoor fires starting and spreading increases.

"We don’t recommend you use anything with a naked flame, like a weed burner, or have a bonfire. It only takes a few stray embers or a moment's inattention to start a fire in this dry weather."