Home in Kirby Cross left uninhabitable after fire believed to be caused by BBQ embers
The bungalow has been left inhabitable after the fire on Sunday
A home in Kirby Cross has been left uninhabitable after a fire that is believed to have started by embers from a BBQ.
Crews from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service believe the embers got caught in the wind and spread to the side of the house.
The bungalow in Turpins Lane had caught fire on the roof when crews arrived at 3:58pm on Sunday, leaving fire and smoke damage throughout the house.
Watch Manager Gary Clarke from Clacton Fire Station said: “If you’re having a BBQ, bonfire or using a fire pit as the weather warms up, please make sure to properly extinguish any embers before you leave it. You can do this with a bucket of water.
“It only takes a small ember to start a fire and with the sunny weather we’ve had recently, everything has had a chance to dry out and this can help a fire spread.”
Barbecue safety tips from ECFRS
- Set your barbecue up away from the house, sheds and fences
- Keep an eye on your cooking at all times
- If you're using a charcoal or disposable barbecue, allow the embers to completely cool before disposing of them - use a bucket of water speed the process up