Stoke fire: 'Kids scream' as bonfire spreads sparking blaze in nearby caravan

Families were forced to evacuate following an out-of-control spreading to a caravan.

attended the Foxley Hotel in Milton. A Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "We were called to the Foxley Hotel after in Milton at 7.45pm after a bonfire spread to a disused caravan.

"Crews from Hanley, Newcastle and Sandy ford attended. We are still at the scene but will be leaving shortly after the fire was brought under control. Thankfully there were no injuries."

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In conflicting reports, children were heard screaming out of fright when a gas canister exploded and went bang, causing the caravan to go up in flames. One mum told StokeonTrentLive: "They set the bonfire and doused it in petrol but the bonfire was set right next to a caravan and a gas canister. The gas canister went bang and the caravan set on fire.

"They tried to put it out with an extinguisher but it didn't work. It was raging. They evacuated everyone. Children were screaming at children. It was awful."

But one person told the local outlet that "a gas canister most definitely did not go off" and that a "few drunken people were scaremongering and telling people there were gas canisters there, when there [weren't]".

The mum of four added: "Luckily the staff were very professional and calmly evacuated everyone. All in all was a great night it was just cut a bit short due to unfortunate circumstances."

The Foxley Hotel said: "Just to confirm, everybody is safe and sound. Our bonfire unfortunately spread to an empty caravan that was parked on our field. The fire has thankfully been put out. Apologies to anybody that came to watch the bonfire. Luckily the firework display had finished Thank-you to the fire brigade that came to the rescue."

The hotel made light of the situation and added: "Where else can you go for 3 quid and have this sort of drama?"

In Sussex, Bonfire Night revellers are being urged not to travel to an event because of overcrowding concerns as more than 200 injuries have been reported since 2019.

have urged people not to attend Lewes Bonfire Night as “serious concerns” remain over too many people in the narrow streets of the historic market town.

The force added 17 people have been taken to hospital, and 212 injuries were reported at the celebrations in the last five years – with many being hurt on the procession routes and by bangers and other fireworks.

The East Sussex town is famous for burning effigies of controversial politicians and celebrities every year on Bonfire Night.