Tree alight - Croydon

Firefighters were called to reports of a tree alight at the rear of a house on Thorton Road in Croydon.

Part of a tree was damaged by fire. There were no reports of any injuries.

The fire is believed to have been caused by a bonfire which spread out of control.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "We would urge people to consider if their bonfire is necessary and to take care if you’re burning waste at home.

“Always check your local authority’s advice on bonfires and follow our safety tips, such as never using paraffin or petrol, building your bonfire clear of buildings, sheds and fences and never leaving your bonfire unattended.

“If you do have a bonfire at home, be mindful of your neighbours and consider that smoke could cause difficulties and be dangerous for people with respiratory problems such as COPD or asthma.”

The Brigade was called at 0528 and the fire was under control at 0628. Fire crews from Norbury fire station attended the scene.

Bonfire safety tips

• Build your bonfire clear of buildings, garden sheds, fences and hedges
• Never use flammable liquids to start a bonfire and never burn dangerous items such as aerosol cans, paint tins, foam furniture or batteries
• Always keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe nearby in case of fire
• Don’t leave bonfires unattended. An adult should supervise it until it has burnt out.
• Damp down burnt materials with plenty of water
• Check the area to make sure there's no wildlife or pets hiding nearby
• If you're burning garden waste, remember that the greener the waste, the more smoke it produces. This may affect your neighbours, and even cause concerned citizens to call us to report a fire.
• Alternatives to consider include composting, and checking if your local council offers a garden waste collection service instead.