URGENT safety advice has been issued after a garden fire nearly spread to a Southend home.

The garden fire inside a chimenea, a free-standing fireplace, was left unattended and spread to a house in Beresford Road, Southend on Monday night.

Fire crews were alerted to the fire by a neighbour and reported on arrival that a bench to the rear of the property, a fence and the back of the house were alight.

Firefighters managed to stop the fire from getting inside the house and extinguished it by 11.14pm.

Gary Finan, Watch Manager at Southend Fire Station, said: "This fire was caused after a chimenea, which was already too close to the house and a bench, was left unattended and ignited nearby objects.

"With lots of people meeting each other in gardens due to the current Covid restrictions, we understand chimeneas and garden fires are being used - particularly in this colder weather.

"However, if you are going to start a fire in your garden, please remember to do so away from anything that might catch fire such as fences or trees.

"We also recommend that you keep a bucket of water on hand at all times - and never ever leave them unattended until they are completely out."