Fire service issue warning after flames rip though Chelmsford cul-de-sac
15 homes had to be evacuated after flames broke out on Saturday
Essex Fire and Rescue have issued a warning after a garden fire led to 40 people being evacuated from their homes in Chelmsford.
It broke out at around 10pm on Saturday night (August 6) in Greenwood Close.
A garden caught alight, with flames quickly spreading to a group of conifer trees, destroying multiple gardens.
15 homes had to be evacuated, with multiple outbuildings, sheds and trees catching alight.
Seven people were treated at the scene by parademics. The exterior walls, windows and guttering of a number of homes were damaged.
An investigation into the cause of the blaze is underway.
Area Manager, Neil Fenwick, said: “While summer weather usually provides the perfect opportunity to host a barbecue or gather around a chiminea in the evening, we’re strongly discouraging people from having any kinds of fires at the moment.
“The ground across Essex is extremely dry allowing fires to spread easily and quickly. This is true for gardens as well as fields and heathland.
"Please help us to help you. Please don’t have barbecues or bonfires. Please don’t use fireworks or set off sky lanterns. Doing so could cause a large scale fire like the one we’ve seen this evening.”