Firefighters are urging the public not to light bonfires in windy conditions, after a small bonfire spread to a large pile of timber in Old Ham Lane, Maidstone

 Two fire engines attended and crews used hose reel jets to bring the fire under control and dampen the surrounding area to prevent further fire spread. Crews are now reminding residents who may wish to light a bonfire, to follow four simple steps to stay safe: – Keep your bonfire to a manageable size – Build it well clear or property, fences, greenery or anything else that could catch fire – Stay with the bonfire at all times until it’s fully extinguished – Avoid lighting a bonfire in windy weather as this can cause the flames to spread rapidly