A CIGARETTE was the cause of fire in a garden shed that spread to a house in South Ockendon - prompting a warning from firefighters who responded to deal with the blaze.

Two crews from Grays were called to yesterday's (Monday, 27 July) fire after the alert was raised just after 3pm.

On arrival, crews found a shed and fence panels were on fire and flames had spread to the back of a house in Little Belhus Close.

Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading further. The fire was put out by 3.42pm. The shed, fence panels and the back door of the house were left damaged.

The fire was caused accidentally after a cigarette end set grass alight.

Watch Manager Gary Bannister said: "Please double check cigarette ends are properly stubbed out before walking away. They can cause fires quickly if left to burn next to a flammable object."

"If you're a smoker or you have a smoker living in your house, make sure you follow our advice to stay safe at home."

Essex Fire Service guidelines

• Make sure your cigarettes are fully extinguished
• Take extra care when you're tired, taking any sort of drugs or have been drinking alcohol. It's very easy to fall asleep while your cigarette is still burning
• Never smoke in bed - if you need to lie down, don't light up. You could doze off and set your bed on fire
• Never leave lit cigarettes unattended - they can easily overbalance as they burn down
• Use a proper, heavy ashtray that can't tip over easily and is made of a material that won't burn. Make sure your cigarette is fully extinguished
• Tap your ash into an ashtray, never a wastebasket containing other rubbish – and don't let the ash or cigarette ends build up in the ashtray
• Use child safe matches and cigarette lighters and keep them safely out of the reach of childre
• Fit and maintain a smoke alarm - a working smoke alarm can buy you valuable time to get out, stay out and call 999