Firecrews raced to fight a barbeque blaze which engulfed a car and house yesterday night.

The incident took place at St. Chads Road in Tilbury at 6.15pm and three firecrews from Grays and Orsett had put out the fire by 6.50pm.

On arrival, crews reported the fire had spread to bushes along the side of the house which then set fire to a car and the house. 

The car was parked in the back garden of a semi detached property.

The fire completely destroyed the car and caused "significant damage" to the exterior of the house, a fire spokesman said.

He added: "The quick action of the firefighters prevented fire spreading into the house, although the house had significant damage to its exterior and the car was completely destroyed."

Crews used two hose reel jets and foam to extinguish the fire by 18:51.

It is not yet known if there were any injuries.

More to follow.

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Essex Fire issued this set of barbeque safety guidelines in the wake of the fire:

Barbeque Fire Safety incidents like these show how important it is to take extra care when using a barbeque.

The key things to remember when using a barbeque are:

•Make sure your barbecue is placed on level ground where it will not tip over

•Keep barbecues away from the house, sheds, fences, garden furniture and overhanging trees or shrubs. Don't put the barbecue where people have to squeeze past it.

•Only use approved barbecue fuel or fire lighters. Never use petrol or paraffin.

•Keep children and garden games well away from the cooking area.

•Never leave the barbecue unattended

•If you are the chef, don’t drink too much alcohol while cooking.

•Watch out when you are cooking fatty foods. Lots of fat spilling onto the coals might make them flare up.

•When you have finished cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before you try to move it.

•Empty the spent ash on to bare garden soil - never put it in the dustbin.

Gas barbecues

•If you are using a bottled gas barbecue, make sure the controls and the cylinder valve are turned off before you change the cylinder.

•Change the cylinder in the open air if you can, otherwise open doors and windows to provide good ventilation.

•If you think there might be a leak in the gas cylinder connections or pipe, brush soapy water over all of the joints and watch out for bubbles. If you find a leaky joint, try to tighten it but don't over tighten it.

•When you have finished cooking, turn off the gas cylinder before the barbecue controls. This makes sure any leftover gas in the pipe is used up.

•Store your gas cylinders outside and protect from frost and direct sunlight. Don't keep more spare cylinders than you need.