FIREFIGHTERS tackled a 300m straw fire at Northey Island today (Saturday 8 August) after bonfire embers spread.

Four crews had to be sent to the scene due to the difficult access - and had to pump from the open water to fight it.

The blaze, which started at around 10.50am, was put out after two-and-a-half hours on one of the hottest days of the year. Firefighters had to remain on the island through the day to monitor hotspots.

Station manager Dan Kirk said: "Crews worked really hard under hot conditions to extinguish the fire.

"In this hot weather, the ground is incredibly dry and it can take just a spark to set fire to grass. Consider if you need to have a bonfire in this weather and if you do, never leave it unattended and keep a water supply close by."

Essex Fire and Rescue Service has put out a reminder of the safety advice on bonfires following the blaze:

• Site the bonfire well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead

cables, trees and shrubs

• Never leave the bonfire burning unattended

• Build the stack so that it is stable and will not collapse outwards or to one

side

• NEVER use flammable liquids - paraffin or petrol - to light the fire

• Don't burn foam-filled furniture, aerosols, tins of paint and bottles

• Keep everyone away from the fire - especially children, who must be

supervised at all times

• Pour water on the embers before leaving.