Bonfire warning after burning spreads to hedge

FIREFIGHTERS in Dawlish have repeated warning against having bonfires after a blaze at a garden in Exeter Road,

Crews were alerted following numerous calls reporting a fire in a hedgerow which was spreading through undergrowth.

When they arrived at the scene, the firefighters discovered a large fire involving hedgerow, grassland and some timber decking as well as a gas cylinder.

They quickly got to work on the fire using a hose reel jet to put out the blaze.

Because of the gas bottle and its unknown contents, the crews set up an improvised ground monitor to keep water on the cylinder to try to extinguish the flames and cool it down.

It was then confirmed the cylinder had already been emptied of its contents before the crew arrived.

The continued to extinguish the fire involving grassland and the hedgerow that was at the top of a cliff that led to houses below.

Fortunately the fire was quickly under control and our crews focus switched to damping down the area while continuing to monitor the gas bottle.

Once the fire involving the gas bottle was extinguished, crews continued to cool the bottle to an acceptable temperature.

It was later found out to have been propane gas.

The fire cause a small amount oof damage to some overhead cables so National Grid and Openreach were called to attend.

It is understood some internet cables were affected.

Once crews were satisfied the fire was extinguished an extensive handover was filled out for the person responsible for the land.

A spokesman for Dawlish fire station said: ‘This incident was caused by an unattended controlled burn that spread due to the extremely dry conditions we are having at the moment.

‘We would like to remind people around the dangers of having fires in the current weather we have experienced and would advise strongly against having a bonfire as a result of the ground conditions.’