Exclusive: Six Homes Damaged In Terrifying Harold Hill Blaze.

A devastating fire tore through six gardens in Harold Hill on Saturday afternoon, leaving residents reeling from the destruction it caused.

Video footage shared with The Havering Daily shows towering flames and thick black smoke engulfing the back ends of multiple gardens, as neighbours watched on in disbelief. The fire, believed to have started around 4.30pm, quickly spread due to dry conditions and close proximity of outdoor structures.

One resident whose garden was badly affected shared their experience with us. “The first thing we saw was the smoke coming over our house. The back of our summer house was alight and we could see how quickly it was spreading.”

The couple had spent years turning their summer house into a cherished retreat, filled with memorabilia and sentimental items — all now lost.

“We had sentimental possessions there that we have lost. Trees have had to be cut down as they were burnt. The front of our summer house is still standing, but that’s it.”

The London Fire Brigade received numerous emergency calls on Saturday, with firefighters rushing to contain the flames. The fire was quickly brought under control, but not before it had caused significant damage to six homes.

Neighbours described how embers from the blaze travelled several properties ahead. “We just want people to be mindful of others when starting bonfires or fire pits. This fire showed just how quickly it can spread. The embers from the fire landed as far as two houses in front,” said one of the affected residents.

Havering’s Fire Commander Paul McClenaghan told The Havering Daily: “We want everyone to enjoy the sunshine but we urge people to take the necessary precautions to stay safe and help prevent a grass fire from starting.

“As the weather warms up and we head towards summer, we would urge Londoners not to have barbecues in open spaces, such as parks, or on balconies. This includes disposable barbecues. People should also dispose of cigarettes carefully to avoid inadvertently
starting a fire.”

Safety advice:

Disposable BBQs 

If you are visiting an open park or space, please do not take a disposable barbecue with you – in fact disposable  BBQs are banned in many of London’s parks and you can be fined £100 if you are caught ignoring this ban.  

Disposable BBQs should also not be used indoors, on a balcony or in close proximity to flammable items like sheds and fences. 

Disposable BBQs can cause grass fires, especially when the ground is dry. They pose a significant fire risk if they are not used appropriately and extinguished properly because the heat can be retained for many hours even after a barbeque has been put out.   

BBQ safety at home or in a designated public area 

Position your BBQ outdoors, on level ground (not decking) and keep it well away from anything that may catch fire such as sheds, fences, or trees. 

Avoid distractions from people around you and never leave the BBQ unattended. 

Avoid drinking alcohol if you are in charge of the BBQ. 

Keep children, pets and garden games a safe distance from the BBQ. 

After cooking, make sure the BBQ is cool before moving or cleaning. 

Empty ashes onto bare garden soil, not into dustbins or wheelie bins.  If they’re hot, they can melt the plastic and start a fire. 

Keep a bucket of water, sand or a garden hose nearby for emergencies. 

Smoking 

Discarded smoking materials pose a huge fire risk. If you have had a cigarette, please make sure that it is completely out. 

Never throw cigarette ends out of car windows. 

If you are smoking on your balcony, have an ashtray to hand, and don’t flick your ashes off the balcony. 

Rubbish 

Leftover rubbish poses a huge fire risk. People are asked to ensure their rubbish is placed securely inside a bin or to take it home with them.  

Don’t leave bottles or glass in woodland or open spaces – sunlight shining through glass can start fires (take them home and recycle them).

This incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly garden fires can escalate, especially during dry or windy conditions. Residents are being urged to take extra precautions when lighting fires, ensuring they are safely managed and fully extinguished.

The fire that impacted six gardens on Saturday afternoon.

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