House fire started by embers put in wheelie bin

Two crews from Basildon were called to the fire in Old Church Hill, Langdon Hills, Essex on Saturday

A house fire started in a wheelie bin which caught alight after uncooled embers were added to it, a fire service has said.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to Old Church Hill, Langdon Hills, at 22:08 GMT, on Saturday and found a blaze in the porch area.

Rob Fossett, watch manager, said: "The occupant had a fire during the day and left the embers on the ground to let them cool before putting them in a wheelie bin, next to the property."

They had not been "fully cooled and reignited, setting fire to the porch".

Firefighters then removed tiles to make sure it was fully extinguished and did not spread along the timbers, and left at 23:18.

"It only takes a couple of hot embers to catch alight to anything nearby," Mr Fossett added.

"We'd advise you cool any embers with water before you dispose of the ashes."