West Sussex fire risk remains high after accidental blaze devastates four homes
Eight fire engines tackled a blaze in Crawley
Eight fire engines tackled a blaze in Crawley on Monday
West Sussex remains at “high risk” of severe fire after an accidental blaze devastated 4 homes in Crawley.
Eight engines tackled the blaze on Ash Keys on Monday (3rd August) which is believed to have been started by an electrical fault – and also damaged 6 gardens.
One resident, whose garden was burnt to ash, said he wants people to take it as a sign to be careful:
"Don't do anything which is easily flamable.
"A fire can spread in a few seconds and can't be stopped.
"You can lose your house, you can lose your life."
Writing in a Facebook post after the fire happened, West Sussex Fire and Rescue said:
“We would like to use this opportunity to remind people that the Fire Severity Index, which measures how severe a fire would be if one were to break out, remains very high in West Sussex due to the prolonged warm, dry weather.
“We are encouraging people to avoid using disposable barbecues and having bonfires in outdoor spaces, pick up litter if you see it, extinguish smoking materials properly, and to report any signs of fire immediately by calling 999.”
In a separate statement, it added:
"While initial reports suggested that the fire may have been caused by a bonfire, our Fire Investigation has concluded that the fire was of accidental ignition.”