FRIENDS and neighbours have rallied round to help an East Tilbury family after a fire at a village home last night.

Firefighters from Orsett and Grays were called to Queen Elizabeth Avenue yesterday (Tuesday, 12 July) at 7.31pm.

Items being stored in the garden prior to collection to be disposed of had caught light and the fire spread to fences and garden furniture. Crews stopped it from causing serious damage to the house and extinguished it by 8.24pm. The cause has been recorded as accidental.

However, the blaze consumed many precisions possessions and now an appeal has been launched to help the family.

Friend Lucy Baker has launched a fundraising page, saying: "My neighbour's garden caught alight with her young children's toys, guineapigs and rabbits in it. Also damaging her fence, rattan furniture, clothes, and sentimental tools from her step dad which she will not be able to get back.

"I'm just asking everyone if they could just donate a little bit to help her children replace their bikes and scooters and anything else she needs that was damaged in the fire. Even if it's only £1 if we all do it we can help her out. As you can imagine the family is devastated. Please donate if you can."

And firefighters were quickly back in action at another home fire this morning. At 8.13am crews from Orsett and Grays attended a fire in Scott Road, Chadwell St Mary.

Fence panels and garden furniture had caught alight and the fire was spreading towards the house. Crews fully extinguished the fire by 8.38am.They also gave oxygen to a woman who had breathed in smoke.

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The cause could not be determined.

Looking back on the two incidents, Watch Manager Terence Myers said: "With more of us using our gardens in this hot weather, these incidents highlight the importance of fire safety outdoors.

"Whether you're having a barbecue, doing some gardening or smoking outside, make sure you follow our advice to keep you and your family safe.  

"I'd also like to praise crews whose quick actions in both these incidents prevented any serious damage to the houses."

The service has issued the following garden safety tips:

• ·        Whether you're lighting a barbecue, bonfire or chimnea, make sure you set it up well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs
• ·        Don't let rubbish or garden waste build up, particularly near your home
• ·        Never leave your fire unattended
• ·        When you've finished, make sure your fire is completely out before moving it or leaving it
• ·        The same goes if you're smoking outside...stub it out...right out