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Two blazes in Hawkhurst and Birchington caused by bonfires amid heatwave

19:53, 13 July 2022

updated: 19:58, 13 July 2022

Fire crews have been called to two incidents in Kent of bonfires spreading amid the heatwave.

They were called to tackle a blaze that was thought to have accidentally spread from a bonfire in Birchington and attended a similar call later in Hawkhurst.

Following the fires, firefighters have released bonfire safety advice to reduce the number of incidents this season
Following the fires, firefighters have released bonfire safety advice to reduce the number of incidents this season

In Birchington, a patch of grassland in a field near St Nicholas At Wade and scrubland had set alight just before 1.30pm.

Two fire engines as well as an all-terrain vehicle attended and had extinguished the flames just after 3pm.

Meanwhile in Hawkhurst, three fire engines attended a blaze just before 2.30pm after receiving reports of a hedgerow alight on Water Lane.

Crews arrived to a fire spreading to a hedgerow, grassland and an outbuilding. They managed to put it out just after 4pm.

After successfully extinguishing the fires, Kent Fire and Rescue Service are encouraging everyone to take extra care to prevent further field fires this season.

Crews arrived to a fire spreading to a hedgerow, grassland and an outbuilding in Water Lane
Crews arrived to a fire spreading to a hedgerow, grassland and an outbuilding in Water Lane

They say to keep bonfires to a manageable size, well clear of greenery and property, and always supervise it to avoid it spreading when it's extremely hot or windy.

Temperatures are expected to stay high into the start of next week with highs of just over 30C expected on Tuesday.

If you see a grass fire, move to a safe place and call 999.

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