Flames tore through 11 gardens in Stowmarket, Suffolk, on Sunday evening, leaving residents to describe an "apocalyptic landscape" as sheds were reduced to cinders and gas canisters exploded. The blaze, which local firefighters termed a "firewave," also destroyed greenhouses, claimed the lives of pet rabbits, and spread to a neighboring business.
Eleven fire crews responded to the incident on Creeting Road West, which began around 3 p.m. and took approximately three hours to bring under control. Residents reported hearing explosions as gas canisters stored in sheds ignited. Local business manager Maxine Rashid described the scene, noting, "You could tell it was a proper fire, rather than a barbecue, because the smoke was black." She also recounted the sound of constant "bangs" from exploding canisters, adding, "It was dangerous."
Residents described a rapid spread of the fire, exacerbated by windy conditions. Anne Jolly, who lives in the affected road, recounted how "everything just went up all of a sudden" while she was in her garden. Neighbor Kevin Miller lost his greenhouse, along with bicycles and other items. "It's unbelievable. All I have got left of my bike is the sprocket. It has been stress," Miller stated. Another resident, who wished to remain unidentified, expressed devastation after losing camping equipment and furniture stored in their summer house, saying, "My children are quite shaken up. It is really scary."
The fire also jumped across the road, igniting pallets loaded with cardboard at a warehousing and logistics business. A company director reported approximately £2,000 in damages, though no employees were injured as the business was closed at the time.
During the fire, nearby businesses and a railway line experienced disruptions. Locals formed human chains to pass water in bins and used hoses in an attempt to combat the flames before emergency services arrived. Andrew Chaplin, a straw contractor who was in the area, assisted residents, noting the "pandemonium" and the bravery shown by the community. "No doubt people were frightened but still showed great bravery to pull together and muck in," he said.
Suffolk Fire Service is investigating the cause of the blaze. Group Manager Chris May warned that "rubbish and litter can 'easily catch fire due to the dry weather and the hot conditions we are facing.'" He also highlighted the significant hazards posed by the exploding cylinders.
This incident occurred amidst a broader pattern of wildfires across Britain, described by researchers as the largest "firewave" the UK has experienced. Imperial College London researchers coined the term "firewave" last year to describe multiple urban wildfires triggered by extended hot and dry weather. Experts suggest that climate change contributes to conditions conducive to such fires, with increased vegetation growth during wet winters followed by prolonged heatwaves. Wildfires have recently been reported in numerous locations across England and Wales. Claire Belcher, director of the Wildfire Lab at the University of Exeter, noted that "we've never seen fires burning right across the country like this," emphasizing the need for better land management to reduce risks.