PHOTOS: Pictures released show extent of damage after blaze in Braintree

Crews from Braintree, Witham and Coggeshall were called out to a property near to Notley High School in Notley Road, Braintree, just before 5pm on Monday afternoon.

Upon arrival, they found a wheelie bin had accidentally caught fire and the blaze had spread to two nearby sheds, fence and double garage.

Two houses next to the garages were also affected.

Black smoke could be seen from at least a mile away from the scene.

Crews worked for over an hour before extinguishing the blaze by 6.20pm.

Black smoke could be seen from Kenworthy Road which is a mile away from the scene

Both the wooden sheds and garages were completely destroyed while both houses suffered some damage.

Despite photos from the scene showing the devestation caused by the blaze, crews working at the scene have earned praise from station manager Steve Wintrip.

Photo by Essex Fire and Rescue Service

He said: "As soon as firefighters arrived they got to work tackling the fire. It is thanks to their quick actions that we were able to save the two houses next to the garages.

"One house suffered some damage to their utility room, and the other house had some heat damage to the outside.

"We found that the cause of the fire had started accidentally. Hot ashes had been left in a plastic wheelie bin which had smouldered and then started the fire."

Mr Wintrip says the fire highlights the need for homeowners to take extra precautions when disposing of hot ash.

He added: "Incidents like this show how important it is to take extra care when emptying hot ashed from your wood burner/or garden bonfire/burner.

Photo by Essex Fire and Rescue Service

"Ashes should be left somewhere safe to completely cool before they are disposed of. This could take days, so you could also ensure ashes are completely safe by putting water on them also."

All three emergency services were called to the scene but East of England Ambulance Service says no one required hospital treatment.