A stable was devastated in a fire which could have started from a stray bonfire spark.

Two horses that were kept in the wooden stable in Aragon Close, Jaywick, were led to safety before the blaze fully took hold.

The incident happened at about 4.45pm on Saturday when about 40 bales of tightly packed sawdust went up in flames.

A spokesman for Essex Country Fire and Rescue Service said the fire had taken about 30 minutes to get under control and the sawdust was allowed to burn completely through to make it easier to clear-up afterwards.

The spokesman added: "At first the fire was thought to be suspicious but now it looks like the most probable explanation was that the wind had blown a spark from a nearby bonfire that had been burning there all day."

Published Monday, April 8, 2002