A HUGE accidental fire destroyed six sheds and outbuildings, as it tore through multiple gardens.

Four fire crews rushed to the blaze in Arundel Road, Wickford at around 5.40pm on Sunday.

The firefighters discovered six timber-framed outbuildings in a number of gardens were on fire.

Residents said it was pretty shocking as the large flames and thick black smoke rose into the area.

A father-of-three, aged 41, said it was very dramatic and quite scary.

The accountant said: “There were huge flames and so much thick black smoke.

“I can’t believe all the damage caused, but it’s not entirely surprising.

“I bet lots of people have lost a lot of possessions, garden furniture and equipment.

“I do feel so sorry for these people and I bet they’ve now got lots of things to get sorted.

“I think it’s a relief that nobody and no homes were affected.”

A grandmother-of-six said the smell was awful and she kept her doors and windows shut.

The shop worker said: “I saw all the fire engines and knew something serious had happened.

“I was quite worried and went out to see what was happening. My thoughts are with the families affected by this fire. I hope nobody has lost anything too expensive or sentimental in the huge fire.

“The firefighters were here a long time so it was clearly a difficult job for them to put it out.”

She hopes there’s not been any wrongdoing or anything untoward going on to cause the fire.

She also had lots of praise for the firefighters who battled the large blaze.

An Essex Fire Service spokesman said: “An investigation was carried out and found the cause of the fire was accidental.”

Incident Commander Marc Diggory said: “Crews worked extremely hard to contain the fire and stop it from spreading further.

“Access was difficult but firefighters extinguished the fire by 7.45pm.

“Firefighters stayed at the scene as they continued to dampen down the area.”