Fire crews swiftly subdued an out of control bonfire which was threatening to engulf a house after residents took it upon themselves to burn rubbish which had piled up during the coronavirus lockdown.

Essex Fire and Rescue Service was called to Chapel Fields, Harlow, at 11.55am yesterday (April 1) to reports a bonfire had burned out of control and spread to a resident’s house.

Firefighters mobilised and extinguished the blaze in under 20 minutes, saving the home from serious damage - the exterior wall of the house suffered some fire and smoke damage.

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Watch Manager Dan Byatt from Harlow Fire Station said: “We want everyone to stay safe during the Covid-19 home isolation. We have attended a number of incidents where people have accumulated lots of domestic rubbish in gardens - where people have more time to clear the house and local waste centres have been closed.

"They have attempted to burn these combustible materials too close to buildings and this can quickly get out of control. This particular fire was quickly stopped from damaging the whole roof and the rest of the house by two crews from White Watch Harlow.

"If you are planning on having a bonfire, please make sure you set it well away from anything that can catch alight including rubbish, sheds, fences and trees."

In light of the incident, Essex Fire issued the following outdoor fire safety advice:

• Site the bonfire or fire pit well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs

• Never leave the fire burning unattended

• Build the stack so that it is stable and will not collapse outwards or to one side

• NEVER use flammable liquids - paraffin or petrol - to light the fire

• Don't burn foam-filled furniture, aerosols, tins of paint and bottles

• Keep everyone away from the fire - especially children, who must be supervised at all times

• Pour water on the embers before leaving

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