London Fire Brigade still being called to fires caused by portable barbecues

Duke’s Meadows

Despite recent government warnings and removal from sale, portable barbecues are still causing issues

The London Fire Brigade has told The Chiswick Calendar they are “still in demand” for grass fires caused by portable barbecues despite the government warning against them. While overall there have been fewer calls to the brigade as temperatures are going down, portable barbecues are still a problem.

The emergency alert sent out by the government to the phones of millions across England and Wales on Friday warned against lighting barbecues due to wildfire risk. The alert urged the public not to undertake “any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues”.

Also on Friday, the government told retailers to stop selling portable barbecues because they posed such a risk.

The government has been criticised for sending out the alert, but defending the decision a spokesperson said the emergency services had asked them to, because they were under such pressure and they needed the public to understand the seriousness of the situation.

London Fire Brigade have been putting out the message:

“If you’re heading to a park or open space to enjoy the sunshine, please don’t take a disposable barbecue with you. Even after they have been extinguished, they can retain heat for many hours and pose a serious fire risk. Please also dispose of smoking materials responsibly and either use the bins provided or take your litter home if there are none available.

“If you’re having a barbecue at home, never use one on a balcony. Position it well away from fences, sheds and other combustible materials, and avoid placing it on wooden decking.”

Robert Dyas on Chiswick High Road told The Chiswick Calendar they had taken the decision as a company to take disposable barbecues off sale a month ago because of the fire risk they pose. Before theat they were selling about five a week.

The bandstand at Duke’s Meadows

Duke’s Meadows a popular place for picnics with barbecues

Dukes Meadows is one public place in Chiswick where people go for barbecues. Last year there was a fire there caused by a portable outdoor cooking stove.

Kathleen Healy, director of the Duke’s Meadows Trust told The Chiswick Calendar that while they haven’t caught anyone having a barbecue there during the current heatwave, they have seen the burn marks they leave behind. They believe people are going there to have barbeques in the evening, even though it is illegal under council bylaws.

As well as the risk of fire, the marks that they leave “look really ugly“, she said.

Signs have been put up around Duke’s Meadows to warn visitors that if they are seen having a barbecue it will be put out, and there are notices from Hounslow Council stating the lighting of barbecues in the area is ‘strictly prohibited’.

A sign from the council in Duke’s Meadows

Chiswick has been lucky so far to not have many reported cases of grass fires.

There was a small fire on Saturday in the grounds of Strand On The Green Junior School which is thought to have been caused by a disgarded cigarette.

READ ALSO: Firefighters extinguish small fire in the grounds of Strand on the Green Junior School

The fire brigade has been putting out hundreds of grass fires in London throughout the heatwave.

On 5 August they were called to 200 grass fires in one 24 hour period.