Bonfire in Horsham woods sparks fire service warning

One crew from Horsham Fire Station was called to Leechpool Woods off Harwood Road at 8.05pm on Tuesday August 4 to reports of a bonfire , a fire service spokesman said. Firefighters discovered a small fire which had been started deliberately in the woods around 50 metres from the car park.

He added: “There was also evidence that people had been drinking nearby.

“Firefighters used a flexi backpack to extinguish the fire, which left an area of damage of around five square metres, and provided advice to the people who were found in the woods on the dangers of starting a fire in the open, especially during such dry conditions. The crew booked away from the scene at 8.34pm.”

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is urging all residents not to start fires deliberately.

THe spokesman said: “With the recent spell of dry weather, it doesn’t take much for a small fire to very quickly become out of control and cause extensive damage.

“Firefighters from Horsham Fire Station have since returned to the woods this week and put up some posters advising people of the dangers of fire in a bid to try and discourage the setting of deliberate fires.”