Firefighters today blasted "irresponsible" bonfire builders who left a blaze unattended near a wooded area.
Martin Avent, station officer at Colchester fire station, said it tied up three fire engines on the busiest night of the year, meaning cover had to be drafted in from around the county.
He said the call came in about 7.15pm last night as parties got under way across the Colchester area, including the popular organised firework display in the town's Castle Park.
The fire, which had been specially built, was burning near to woodland behind Titania Close on the Greenstead estate in Colchester.
"It was an absolutely huge fire. It had been made out of a huge pile of rubbish which was so big it had obviously been built using a tractor," said Mr Avent.
"But when we got there we soon realised whoever had done it had just left it.
"We did not leave there until 9.15pm, which meant for two hours on what is usually the busiest night of the year for us we were tied up on this fire, which should have been attended.
"It is just so irresponsible to just leave a fire that big burning away so near to woods. Thankfully it was brought under control without it spreading, but it could have been a lot worse," he said.
He appealed to people to be careful when building their own fires and to make sure they are attended at all times.
Published Wednesday November 6, 2002
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