People across the Braintree district are being urged not to have bonfires in their gardens.
In 2003, Braintree's fire engines attended 72 bonfire related incidents, and half of these were either left unattended or spread to fences, trees, sheds and houses.
Di Pasfield, community safety officer at Braintree fire station, Railway Street, said: "Compost as much as possible or let the local authorities remove and deal with your garden waste, so in a lot of cases, a fire may not be necessary."
She said people are building their bonfires too big and do not watch them.
If people are having bonfires as part of their fireworks party, it is advised to have the fire after all of the fireworks have been let off so people's attention can be focused on the fire to stop any accidents.
She said anyone determined to have a bonfire should follow guidelines, including telling neighbours first, not lighting them when it is windy, building them well clear of buildings, sheds, fences and hedges and only burning dry materials.
Published Tuesday September 14, 2004
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