FIREFIGHTERS have urged people to ensure fire pit embers are fully cooled before disposing of them following a fire in Chadwell Road, Grays.

Crews from Grays were called at 3.31pm yesterday (Sunday, 4 September) after a fire started in a bin in the garden. It spread to the fence panels, garden furniture and decking. 

The fire was put out at 3.46pm but firefighters remained on scene for a short time after to ensure that a garden gas cylinder was safe.

Watch Manager Gary Bannister said: "The fire started from embers from a fire pit that had been put into a bin. The fire pit had been out for around 12 hours, but the embers can still be warm and cause a fire. If you are using a fire pit or having a bonfire or barbeque, please make sure everything is cooled before disposing of the embers, you can use water to help.

"Also never leave a bonfire, barbeque or fire pit unattended and use them well away from anything an ember or flame can alight like fences, decking, houses and plants."

For more safety advice head to Essex Fire and Rescue Service's barbeque safety page here.