Two large unattended bonfires extinguished by firefighters

On-call firefighters from Portchester were alerted after smoke was spotted in the woodland off of Nelson Road at around half five on Saturday evening.

A specialist off-road vehicle from Fareham attended to support firefighters access and reach the two unattended bonfires.

Hose reels were used to stop the fire which saw a large amount of smoke drift across a nearby road.

After damping down the scene, firefighters returned to station at around 8pm.

HIWFRS Safety Warning: Bonfires

Bonfires can be hazardous if not managed safely. Always follow these guidelines to reduce risk and prevent accidents.

• Use a metal incinerator bin and position it well away from houses, sheds, fences, and trees
• Follow advice on what materials should not be burned
• Always stay with your bonfire and keep water nearby
• Ensure the fire is completely out before leaving; damp thoroughly with plenty of water

For more safety tips, visit our Bonfire Safety page.