FIREFIGHTERS have issued a warning over discarding lit cigarettes after dealing with a rubbish fire in Witham.

Firefighters from Witham and Rochford were called to the blaze in Hemingway Road, Witham, at around 4.11pm on Saturday.

A rubbish fire had spread to fence panels and two houses.

Firefighters worked quickly to contain the fire and prevent it spreading further.

Crews extinguished the fire by 4:30pm and believe it was caused by a discarded cigarette Watch Manager Andy Mott, from Witham Fire Station, said: “Please make sure all cigarettes are properly stubbed out before you discard them.

"It’s still hot and dry across the county and it only takes an ember to start a fire when everything’s dry.

"Thanks to quick action from crews, this fire was prevented from taking hold of the houses.”