Chippenham house fire triggers warning for public safety

The warning comes after a large house fire in Bowden Hill at Lacock near Chippenham on the afternoon of Monday, July 21 was caused by a bonfire.

Around 55 firefighters were needed to tackle the thatched house blaze after the fire service was first called to the scene at around 3pm that day. 

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Firefighters eventually left the scene shortly after 10am on Tuesday, July 22 after battling for hours to extinguish the fire.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue confirmed earlier this week that the fire had been "started accidentally due to embers from a hedge fire caused by a bonfire."

Firefighters at the scene (Image: DWFRS) Guidance has now been issued to help the public stay safe this summer and avoid a repeat incident.

Advice includes site any bonfire well away from buildings, fences, trees and garden structures, having a garden hose to hand in case the fire starts to get out of control, and not lighting a bonfire on a windy day in case it flares up more than you expect.

The public are also reminded to be courteous to their neighbours by informing them of plans to have a substantial bonfire, and to always avoid using flammable liquids such as petrol or paraffin to start a bonfire.

Anyone intending to have a large bonfire is urged to use the fire service's online form to prevent firefighters from being called out on a false alarm.

A spokesperson for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue said: "Following the thatch fire in Lacock on Monday, which was caused by embers from a bonfire, this highlights how easily bonfires can get out of control, especially during a prolonged spell and dry weather.

"Please avoid having bonfires to burn your garden waste and consider taking it to your local recycling centre instead."

Firefighters at the scene (Image: Trevor Porter) You can find out more about bonfires and garden safety by visiting www.dwfire.org.uk/safety/safety-outdoors/bonfires-and-garden-safety/.

During the incident, Wiltshire Police closed multiple roads in the area due to the large number of fire trucks in attendance.

These included Melksham Road and West Street, Lower Woodrow Road, Bowden Hill, and Bewley Lane.

At the time of the fire, a spokesperson for the fire service described how firefighters were tackling the blaze, stating: “Thatch is being stripped from the roof with jets and compressed air foam in use to extinguish the fire.

“Firefighters are also working hard to salvage as many of the occupier’s possessions as possible.”