Urgent BBQ warning after flaming grill torches bungalow leaving family homeless as Brits enjoy sunshine
FIRE services have launched an urgent BBQ warning after a flaming grill torched a family bungalow leaving them homeless.
The blaze was started by a back garden barbie in Kirby Cross, near Frinton, Essex.
“We believe the fire was caused by embers from a barbecue that caught in the wind and spread to the side of the house,” Essex Fire and Rescue said.
“The bungalow has been left uninhabitable due to the fire and smoke damage throughout.”
The bungalow had caught fire on the roof when crews first arrived, and quickly spread through the property.
A spokesman for Essex Police said: “The fire was contained to one address and was not life-threatening.
“Our officers attended nearby properties to temporarily move residents to a safe location while fire crews dealt with the incident.”
Paramedics were also at the scene to help any residents who may have sustained injuries or inhaled smoke.
And although nobody was injured, the blaze caused tens of thousands of pounds damage.
Watch Manager Gary Clarke from Clacton Fire Station told Planet Radio: “If you’re having a BBQ, bonfire or using a fire pit as the weather warms up, please make sure to properly extinguish any embers before you leave it. You can do this with a bucket of water.
“It only takes a small ember to start a fire and with the sunny weather we’ve had recently, everything has had a chance to dry out and this can help a fire spread.”
Following the incident, Paul Clifton, Frinton and Walton Town mayor, praised the emergency services for their work.
He said: “Thank you to the emergency services who got to the scene pretty quickly and stopped the fire spreading beyond the single house.
“I’d like to reiterate any safety advice that the fire service may have regarding fires in summer started by barbecues or bonfires.”
The London Fire Brigade also shared advice ahead of BBQ season, on how to keep safe and cook responsibly when outdoors.
They urge people to keep an eye on where they position their BBQs and suggest keeping it on level ground and well away from anything flammable such as trees, sheds or fences.
They also warn against using petrol, paraffin or any other flammable liquid on your barbie and recommended sticking with firelighters.
This comes after Brits were warned not to light barbecues last summer after a huge garden fire forced 40 people to be evacuated from their homes in Chelmsford, Essex.