Fire services across the UK are urging people to go for picnics instead of barbecues following a spate of blazes during the heatwave.
Several grass fires across the country have been blamed on barbecues abandoned in rural areas after use, with people flocking outdoors to enjoy the sun and 30C temperatures.
East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service wrote on Twitter: “The hot weather brings us all out to enjoy walks in the countryside but please don’t have a BBQ, take a picnic instead [and] take your rubbish home!”
A similar warning was issued by Surrey Fire & Rescue Service, who urged locals to avoid barbecues and instead “pack a picnic when you’re out and about”.
Fire services across the UK are urging people to go for picnics instead of barbecues
PA
Temperatures continue to soar across the UK
Ben Birchall
Northumberland Fire & Rescue Service added: “The hot weather brings us all out to enjoy walks in the countryside, do us a favour….Don’t have a BBQ! disposable [BBQs] are a big cause for wildfire.”
On Sunday, Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue crews were called to the scene of a grass shrubbery fire that was caused by discarded disposable barbecues, while Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had “already attended 10 outside fires” across the area on Sunday afternoon.
On the same day, when temperatures reached 30C in parts of the UK, Hertfordshire Fire Control said firefighters were called to a blaze caused by a disposable barbecue “smouldering in the park” in Hoddesdon.
While On Saturday, Cornwall’s Fire and Rescue Service said that crews had been called to extinguish a bin fire caused by the careless disposal of a barbecue while Dorset’s fire services were mobilised to extinguish a “small fire” at Hengistbury Head, with the fire service warning barbecues were not permitted at the beauty spot.
The National Fire Chiefs Council advises people never to leave barbecue unattended, and to place disposable barbecues on flat surfaces and away from sheds, trees and shrubbery.