Colchester: Wesley Avenue fire caused by 'discarded cigarette'

Crews were called to reports of a garden fire in Wesley Avenue, Colchester, just before 10am yesterday.

Arriving at the address, firefighters from Colchester fire station found the flames had taken hold of a shed and had begun to spread to the outside of a house.

The fire was extinguished before it spread to inside the property. An onlooker said the occupier was safe and well, but understandably "shaken".

Scenes - smoke could be seen from the Turner Rise Retail Park (Image: Newsquest)

Watch manager Ian Ryder said: "If you are a smoker, please help us prevent fires this summer by making sure to properly stub out cigarettes before discarding them.

"It only takes an ember to start a fire in hot and dry conditions and you can play your part in preventing fires by double-checking your cigarette is properly extinguished."

Smoke could be seen by concerned onlookers from across the city.

Mr Ryder's warning comes after a huge fire started by a discarded cigarette tore through four houses last Tuesday.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service responded to three fires across the county yesterday which they believe could have been caused by embers from discarded cigarettes.