THE fire service is urging people to go for picnics instead of barbecues following a spate of blazes during the heatwave.

Several grass fires across the UK have been blamed on barbecues abandoned in rural areas after use, with people flocking to the countryside and the beach to enjoy the sun.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service urged residents and visitors to be safe when it comes to barbecuing in public.

“The hot weather brings us all out to enjoy walks in the countryside, but please don’t have a BBQ, take a picnic instead, and take your rubbish home,” an ESFR spokesman said.

The Argus: A bin was severely damaged after a fire near the beach in Hove on Sunday, July 10 A bin was severely damaged after a fire near the beach in Hove on Sunday, July 10

A fire engine and crew were spotted on the beach in Hove extinguishing a bin fire at about 6.30pm on Sunday, July 10.

A similar warning was issued by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, which urged locals to avoid barbecues and instead “pack a picnic when you’re out and about”.

The National Fire Chiefs Council advises people never to leave barbecues unattended, and to place disposable barbecues on flat surfaces and away from sheds, trees and shrubbery.

Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service added: “The hot weather brings us all out to enjoy walks in the countryside, do us a favour….Don’t have a BBQ! Disposable BBQs are a big cause for wildfire.”

On Sunday, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue crews were called to the scene of a grass shrubbery fire that was caused by discarded disposable barbecues, while Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had “already attended ten outside fires” across the area on Sunday afternoon.

On the same day, when temperatures reached 30C in parts of the UK, Hertfordshire Fire Control said firefighters were called to a blaze caused by a disposable barbecue “smouldering in the park” in Hoddesdon.

On Saturday, Cornwall’s Fire and Rescue Service said that crews had been called to extinguish a bin fire caused by the careless disposal of a barbecue while Dorset’s fire services were mobilised to extinguish a “small fire” at Hengistbury Head, with the fire service warning barbecues were not permitted at the beauty spot.

The Argus: Firefighters deal with bin fire in Madeira Drive, Brighton, in July 2021 Firefighters deal with bin fire in Madeira Drive, Brighton, in July 2021

Last year, beachgoers were urged to take extra care when lighting barbecues and bonfires after three fires within two hours of each other in Brighton.

Firefighters were first called to a bin fire at Brighton Pier, before attending blazes in Madeira Drive and Romsey Close.

The ESFR spokesman urged beachgoers and those enjoying the warm weather to think about where they will dispose of their barbecue before lighting it.

“East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service asks that people take extra care when having barbecues, bonfires and putting items which could cause a fire in bins,” he said.