Disposable barbecues spark separate incidents

People are being urged to make sure disposable barbecues are disposed of properly following two separate incidents on Friday (8 July).

One fire engine and a Land Rover from Havant were called to an area off Farlington Marshes in Portsmouth after a passerby spotted smoke coming from near a boat wreck. Firefighters found an unattended disposable barbecue and put the fire out using one hose reel jet.

Later that night, a crew from Sandown was called to an area off Culver Down Road, Bembridge, to deal with a fire involving undergrowth that was sparked by a disposable barbecue.

• Disposable barbecues should always be placed on an even surface such as bricks, or paving slabs.
• Disposable barbecues can stay hot for a long time, so always make sure it has cooled completely before disposing of it safely.