TWO detached houses had to be evacuated after a barbecue gas canister at a garden lunch caught fire.

A fire crew was sent to a house in a Ditchling cul-de-sac called Shirleys just after 2pm today.

They found flames coming from a propane gas cylinder as part of a barbecue and evacuated the house and a neighbouring property as a precaution.

The crew from Lewes used a special foam to cool the cylinder and allowed it to vent out in a job lasting about an hour.

A crew member said a woman dialled 999 immediately.

The fire service has now renewed its warnings as people head into barbecue season and issued advice:

Set up barbecues on level ground away from bushes, tents and buildings;

If using charcoal, use about 2in and keep the rest away from the fire;

Only use recommended fluids or firelighters and never petrol;

Make sure any bottled gas is properly attached before lighting a barbecue and ensure dials and valves are turned off before you change a cylinder;

Make sure disposable barbecues and embers or hot coals are fully extinguished before you throw them away.