Wickford bonfire blaze spreads to seven gardens

Firefighters were called to Hereward Gardens just before midday on Monday

Embers from a bonfire caused a blaze to spread quickly across seven gardens.

Firefighters were called to Hereward Gardens in Wickford, Essex, at 11:56 BST on Monday.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said a shed caught fire, with flames spreading to fence panels, trees and more sheds.

Crews worked "extremely hard" to prevent fire spreading to homes, a spokesperson explained, adding the flames were extinguished by 12:45.

Resident Terry Barden was in his living room when a neighbour called round to tell him a tree next to his kitchen was alight.

"I'm so lucky that Tom pulled me out to begin with," he said, explaining fire crews with breathing apparatus soon arrived.

A neighbour alerted Terry Barden to a tree on fire next to his home

The fire damaged Terry Barden's shed and kitchen

The fire service advised people not to have open fires while conditions remained dry.

Steve Osborn, station manager, said: "Although the weather has cooled, everything is still really dry and all it takes is an ember to start a fire that can spread rapidly.

"We'd suggest people hold off on having any open fires until we've had more rain - including barbeques and campfires/fire pits."

Two weeks ago, crews were called to a fire in Chelmsford caused by a chimenea, which forced evacuations in which 40 people left their homes.

The fire service has previously asked people to avoid using barbecues and chimeneas, and also refrain from lighting fireworks and sky lanterns, as crews had handled more than 150 calls in 24 hours at the beginning of August.