Firefighters are urging smokers to properly stub out cigarettes after a garden fire in Basildon was caused by a discarded cigarette earlier today. 

Crews were called to Linford Drive, Basildon at 1.53pm today (Tuesday, 6 June).

On arrival, firefighters reported that a fire in a garden had caught a bin alight.

Firefighters extinguished the fire by 2:10pm and believe it was caused by a discarded cigarette. 

Crew Manager Rob Purdue from Basildon Fire Station said: "If you smoke, please make sure to properly stub out your cigarette before discarding it, as it only takes a small ember from the lit cigarette to start a fire. 

"With the dry weather we've been having and will continue to have throughout summer, it's especially important to double check cigarettes are properly extinguished as the dry conditions will help a fire spread faster."