'Firewave' rips through back gardens as tinderbox conditions see gas canisters explode and outbuildings left in cinders

Published: 14:34, 14 July 2026 | Updated: 14:44, 14 July 2026 A group of homeowners caught up in the ‘firewave’ tearing across Britain have spoken of their fears as a blaze ripped through their gardens, leaving an apocalyptic landscape. Explosions shook the neighbourhood as flames tore through 11 gardens in Creeting Road West in Stowmarket, Suffolk, razing garden sheds to the ground, along with their contents which included gas canisters. Greenhouses also collapsed under the ferocious onslaught and rabbits in a hutch perished. Nearby businesses and a railway line had to close as desperate locals formed human chains to deliver water in filled bins or using hoses. Eleven fire crews were despatched to the scene on Sunday evening and took around three hours to bring the situation under control. The term 'firewave' was coined by Imperial College London researchers last year and describes multiple urban wildfires triggered by extended hot and dry weather. Anne Jolly, who lives in the road with her husband, Graham, 83, described how ‘everything just went up all of a sudden’ after she had spent time gardening with a pair of secateurs. She had gone to sit in the couple’s summer house before heading to the kitchen to join her husband when they saw the flames. Anne Jolly, who lives in the road with her husband, Graham, 83, described how ‘everything just went up all of a sudden’ ‘I just thought “Flipping heck. God help us. Oh my God”,’ she said. ‘I am just glad we have got good neighbours who helped us and that we are insured.’ Mr Jolly described the blaze as ‘terrifying’ and said he attempted to hold the flames back with a hose before the fire crews arrived. Neighbour Kevin Miller said he had lost his greenhouse, along with its contents which included two bikes, a tent and gazebos. ‘It’s unbelievable. All I have got left of my bike is the sprocket. It has been stress,’ he added. ‘My daughter’s Wendy house has gone. She’s 24 now but that has sentimental value from her childhood. I’m pretty shook up about it.’ Another resident, who didn’t want to be identified, was at home with all her family when they lost camping and beach equipment in their summer house, as well as gardening equipment and soft furnishings. ‘We’re all pretty devastated. My children are quite shaken up. It is really scary,’ she said. The scene of devastation after fire ripped through 11 gardens. It also leapt over the road, setting pallets loaded with cardboard alight at a business One resident at the street in Stowmarket, Suffolk, said: 'We’re all pretty devastated. My children are quite shaken up. It is really scary.' ‘It spread fast. I am still trying to get my head round it.’ A live band had to stop performing at the nearby Little Wellington Pub after it closed due to the fire. Customers ‘swung into action’ by knocking on doors to alert residents. Manager Maxine Rashid said: ‘You could tell it was a proper fire, rather than a barbecue, because the smoke was black.’ Describing the constant ‘bangs’ as gas canisters exploded, she added: ‘It was dangerous. When everything is popping, you don't know what is going to shoot out.’ Andrew Chaplin, who lives in the village of Haughley, was cycling in the area when he spotted smoke and decided to help. The agricultural straw contractor – who lost thousands of tonnes of straw in 2024 after it was set alight – said residents were carrying bins of water and using hosepipes to help fight the flames. ‘There were a lot of houses in a tight-knit area and there were noises like explosions going off so there was a bit of pandemonium,’ he added. Suffolk Fire Service are investigating how the blaze started on Sunday Eleven fire crews were sent to the spot, where fire caused devastation as it raged for around three hours  ‘It was windy too and it all happened very quickly. I think sadly someone lost a few of their pet rabbits. ‘However, the response from the community spirit was unbelievable and it was quite amazing seeing so many people trying to help out. ‘We all did the best we could. The grit and great determination of everyone there was really encouraging to see. ‘No doubt people were frightened but still showed great bravery to pull together and muck in.’ The embers from the blaze were carried across the road by a breeze, setting alight pallets containing waste cardboard at a warehousing and logistics business. A director of the firm said around £2,000 of damage had been caused but no one was injured as the business was closed at the time. The fire started at around 3pm and was brought under control just after 6pm. National Rail confirmed disruption caused by the fire had led to all nearby lines being blocked, with services delayed or revised until 7.27pm. Suffolk Fire Service group manager Chris May warned rubbish and litter can 'easily catch fire due to the dry weather and the hot conditions we are facing' Suffolk Fire Service is investigating the cause of the incident. Group manager Chris May said in a video statement on Facebook: ‘This particular fire in Creeting Road has attracted a significant fire and rescue presence involving 11 sheds, 11 gardens and cylinders that were quite significant hazards to our staff. ‘The fire also spread to a neighbouring builders' yard catching a large pile of wooden pallets. It also affected the Stowmarket railway line which involved being closed for a short amount of time.’ He added: ‘Let's be really mindful when carrying out barbecues or leaving rubbish and litter outside in grass areas — these things can easily catch fire due to the dry weather and the hot conditions we are facing.’ Britain is in the midst of its biggest ever ‘firewave’, with wildfires blazing in 19 locations during the third heatwave of the year and heat health warnings being extended. Experts fear the fires are presenting an increased risk to homes and health as more appear to be burning near urban areas than in remote countryside. Wildfires have affected London, Greater Manchester, North Yorkshire, County Durham, East Sussex, West Sussex, Devon and Somerset in recent days. Claire Belcher, director of the Wildfire Lab at the University of Exeter, said the latest firewave in England and Wales was the 'most widespread that the UK has seen'. The term 'firewave' was coined by Imperial College London researchers last year and describes multiple urban wildfires triggered by extended hot and dry weather - like the one in Stowmarket She said climate change is causing wet winters, leading to more vegetation growth which is then dried by long heatwaves, adding: 'We've had lots of fires in certain regions before, but we've never seen fires burning right across the country like this.' Ms Belcher continued: 'We must manage our land better to reduce risks and stop fires spreading. The impact of wildfires on wildlife can be devastating.' Parts of south-east England are on course to have no rain for nearly a month, with Wisley in Surrey having already experienced 26 consecutive dry days. Areas of East Sussex have had no rain for 24 days and it has been dry for 20 days in parts of London, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hampshire. Warm and dry conditions along with gusty easterly winds are creating a heightened risk for wildfires, as well as increasing the danger to those cooling off in the water. Emergency services are currently dealing with 19 active wildfire incidents, with fire and rescue teams dealing with a combination of large moorland and agricultural fires.