1:59 PM, Sunday 4 April, 2021
Fire on balcony of flat
Weybourne Road, Broughton, Milton Keynes.
One appliance and crew from Broughton and one from Newport Pagnell attended. Firefighters used one hose reel and a ladder. The fire was caused by a disposable barbecue.
Fortunately this fire was put out before it had a chance to spread to neighbouring balconies or flats, but not using a barbecue on a balcony is one of our barbecue safety tips. Here are some more:
- Make sure your barbecue is sited well away from sheds, fences, trees, shrubs or garden waste.
- Keep children, pets and garden games away from the cooking area.
- Use enough charcoal to cover the base of the barbecue, but not more.
- Follow the safety instructions provided with disposable barbecues.
- Do not use a barbecue indoors.
- Do not leave a lit barbecue unattended.
- Always keep a bucket of water, sand or a garden hose nearby for emergencies.
- Enjoy yourself, but do not drink too much alcohol if you are in charge of the barbecue.
- After cooking, make sure the barbecue is cool before moving it.
- Empty ashes on to bare garden soil, not into dustbins or wheelie bins. Hot ash can melt a plastic bin or cause a fire.