Discarded ashes from a chiminea are said to be the cause of a fire which occurred over the weekend.

Firefighters were called out at 10.38am on Sunday, July 19, after the blaze affected fencing, a lamp post, two wheelie bins and a children's playhouse in Larkfield.

Fire crews tackled the fire using a hose reel at a home in Heron Road, Highways Agency members were also in attendance to isolate electricity to the lamp post.

Kent Fire and Rescue are advising residents with chimineas to dispose of the embers properly.

Larkfield crew manager, Chris Phipps said: “The resident had lit the chiminea on Saturday evening, leaving the ashes to cool overnight. He lifted them into a plastic wheelie bin on Sunday morning.

“Unfortunately, ashes that seem cold on the surface may still be hot deep inside and in this case, when the man moved them, they were given oxygen and fuel in the form of recycling in the wheelie bin – all the perfect ingredients for the fire to smoulder and spread.

“If you’re using a chiminea, barbecue or have a bonfire in your garden this summer, please dispose of the ashes and coals carefully. Douse them with water, put them into a metal container and once cool, empty them onto bare soil, not into a plastic bin.”

Advice on safety, along with instructions to dispose of ashes properly can be found at www.kent.fire-uk.org