HEDGES behind a house were decimated after a back garden barbecue fire got out of control.

The blaze ignited at the rear of a property in Stitch-Mi-Lane, Harwood, during Sunday evening.

The flames spread from the barbecue and quickly engulfed the hedge close to the fence by Appledore Drive.

Firefighters from Bolton Central Fire Station prevented it from spreading further to the house or any adjacent properties.

But it grew so large and hot that the guttering and glazing fascia on the conservatory melted.

A neighbour who lives opposite the rear of the property described the fire as “quite large”.

He said: “We were at the back of the house and we just heard the crackling then came to see what was going on.

“I think they had been having a barbecue but the fire spread to the bush. It was quite a big one and the flames were really high.

“The firefighters were brilliant though, They got here really quick.

“I went to speak to them and everyone seems OK.”

Tony McKenna, watch manager at Bolton Central Fire Station, described the fire as “well alight” when the crews arrived.

He said: “This had spread from a family BBQ, which, when they were lighting, got out of hand and the fire spread to the hedge.

“The owner had attempted to put the fire out with a garden hose, but we would advise not to do this because the heat was quite intense by this point.

“We got there as quickly as we could and managed to stop it spreading to the house, but unfortunately there was damage to a rear conservatory and guttering.

“Flames melted the plastic guttering and the fascia to the glazing of the conservatory.”

Fire crews also put out a warning reminding people to stay away from fires, not to attempt to put them out and call the fire service.

Mr McKenna said: “We advise people not to attempt to fight a fire on their own. They should get away from the fire, stay away and phone 999.

“People can also ring us on 0800 555815 and we will come and fit smoke alarms for them.”