12:00pm Saturday 8th November 2008
A WARNING has been issued to people planning their own private fireworks parties this weekend, after a blaze at a Colchester home.
Firefighters from Colchester fire station’s red watch were called to a house in St Helena Road at about 10pm on Wednesday.
The occupants had dialled 999 after the electricity in their house went out and they smelt smoke. A fire had started in the back of their garage.
Two fire engines were sent to the scene, and crews used one hose reel and two firefighters in breathing apparatus to put out a fire in the back of a lean-to garage. They were on the scene for about 45 minutes.
A spokesman for the fire station said initial investigations suggest the fire could have been avoided.
“We believe the family had a private fireworks display in the garden,” he explained.
“They put the spent fireworks in a box in the garage, but it appears that some of the fireworks may not have been fully extinguished in the box.
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