Warning as disposable barbecue sparks fire

This was the damage and mess caused by a blaze started when a disposable barbecue was thrown into a park’s bin.

A crew from Washington Community Fire Station was sent to Princess Anne Park in the town at 7.25pm on Sunday, following reports of a fire.

The team spent around 15 minutes at the scene putting out the blaze, which happened in a bin at its skate park.

The incident is one of a number Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has attended in recent weeks caused by a disposable barbecue, with the rise in the issue coinciding as more people are able to gather outside due to the easing of lockdown.

The service has said the kits are a particular safety and fire risk because they retain heat for hours after they have been used to cook food.

Anyone using a barbecue is advised to light it away from sheds, fences and other structures and materials which could catch light.

They are advising people not to use accelerants and to keep children and pets away at a safe distance.

Because they hold their heat for such a long time, people are asked to follow the instructions carefully, place them on level ground and on bricks or paving slabs, allow them to cool down and extinguish the fire fully using water or sand.

The service has also issued an appeal for people to take their rubbish home with them following a visit to an outdoor space to help reduce the risk of it being used to start fires.