A SHED was destroyed after the flames from an "out of control" bonfire spread in St Leonards.
The fire on Cedar Avenue was reported to Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) at around 2.10pm today (Thursday, May 21)
A spokesperson for the fire service said: "Just after 2pm this afternoon Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Control received several reports of a bonfire out of control.
"Fire crews from Ferndown Fire Station and neighbouring Ringwood attended as the bonfire had also spread to a shed. Several small areas of refuse, and the shed, were extinguished using one hose reel and one main line. Unfortunately the shed was completely destroyed by fire. The fire was under control by 3.06pm."
The fire service is urging residents to avoid having bonfires and says its resources are "already very stretched".
@ 2:10pm Out of control bonfire spread to shed. Please do try to heed our request to avoid having bonfires, our resources are already very stretched. Thanks to @RingwoodFire for your assistance - https://t.co/O9Wu3JJdvD
— DWFireControl (@DWFireControl) May 21, 2020
Earlier this week, DWFRS warned residents not to burn waste in the garden after a fire got out of control and led to the closure of the A31 near Ringwood on Sunday afternoon.
The A31 through St Leonards was closed for some ten hours due to the incident near Ringwood Road, St Leonards.
Speaking after the Sunday incident, group manager Katie Cornhill said: “We strongly urge the public to only burn waste in the garden where absolutely necessary and, if they do so, to situate the fire well away from fences or buildings and maintain a watchful eye until it is fully extinguished. This incident was protracted due to the additional hazards on site, but it could have had far worse consequences, and thankfully there were no injuries on this occasion.
"Please think carefully before deciding to light a fire in your garden, particularly during these difficult times, when emergency services are working hard to maintain their emergency response.”
The fire involved an oxygen cylinder and two acetylene cylinders and as a result a 100-metre cordon was put in place to protect nearby residents, workers and road users.
Around 45 firefighters battled the blaze.
READ: Closure of A31 caused by out of control garden fire>>>
Fire crews from Ferndown, Hamworthy, Poole, Redhill Park, Springbourne, Verwood and Wimborne, with support from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and their crews from Redbridge and Ringwood, tackled the fire that had spread to numerous scrap vehicles and an outbuilding, and damaged the soffit of a nearby bungalow.
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