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.
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