Bonfire warning after flames spread through gardens

A bonfire sparked a fire which spread to three gardens

A fire service has issued a warning about lighting bonfires during the hot spell after a blaze got out of control and spread to three gardens.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service were called to Wormingford, Colchester, after reports of trees and shrubs on fire.

Station manager Nick Singleton said: "When we arrived the bonfire had spread through some dry conifers, along hedgerow and into three gardens. When burning bonfires, weather conditions are important. If it's hot, dry and windy - we'd advise not to burn bonfires.

"It only takes an ember to get picked up by wind and for a fire to spread."

The fire service advises anyone planning a bonfire to site it well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables - as well as trees and shrubs.

It says never to leave a bonfire unattended and make sure stacks are stable.

Children must be kept supervised around planned fires - and the fire service also warned people not to use flammable liquids to light fires, or burn foam-filled furniture, paint or aerosols.