Firefighters are reminding residents to take care when lighting bonfires and to dispose of rubbish carefully, after a large outdoor fire threatened homes in Medway yesterday evening.

Two fire engines were called to a field near Allhallows Caravan Park at 5.35pm after a brazier fire caused around three acres of cut corn to catch alight. The blaze had spread through the dry field and was threatening local homes.

Strood crew manager Ian Collins, who attended the scene, said: “With areas of grassland so dry at the moment fires will quickly spread causing damage to the local environment and potentially putting lives at risk.

“I would urge anyone lighting an open fire to think carefully about where it is being lit and ensure it is kept well away from any potential unintended fuel source.”

The resident responsible for the brazier was given fire safety advice at the scene.