Firefighters are warning people to dispose of fireworks properly after a bin blaze.

Residents in Swaisland Road in Dartford narrowly avoided a disastrous start to 2021 when they discarded a firework 30 minutes after a garden display in the early hours of New Year's Day.

The firework, which was still warm, sparked a blaze in two wheelie bins.

Fire crews were called just before 2am, and used a hose reel jet to put out the flames. No one was hurt.

A fire service spokesman said: "Following this, our crews are reminding people to make sure fireworks, and indeed any warm objects, are cooled fully before being put in a bin.

"With fireworks in particular, they need to be soaked thoroughly and weighted down in water for many hours, before being placed in a bin."

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford