A SHED caught fire after fermenting wood chippings it was storing went up in flames.

One fire crew from Leigh was called to Westbourne Grove, Westcliff, at about 6.50pm yesterday following reports a back garden shed was on fire.

Firefighters used one hose reel to put out the blaze within half an hour.

Sub-officer Wayne Davey said it was not unusual for fomenting wood chippings to catch fire.

He said: “It’s very similar to cow dung when making manure, it will sit there and smoulder and if it’s dry enough around the outskirts, it will catch light.”