Fire service issues advice after four weekend fires caused by bonfires and barbecues

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service attended four fires over the weekend – two in Northampton, one in Lower Harlestone and one in Little Harrowden- caused by bonfires, firepits and barbecues getting out of control and setting light to hedges, grass, fences and sheds.

Fire crews from Wellingborough were called to one fire in Little Harrowden shortly before 6:30pm on Saturday evening (April 18) that was caused by a barbecue being used too close to a hedge, which set it alight.

Two hose-reel jets were needed to put the fire out before it spread further causing more damage.

As we head into the warmer months where the ground and surrounding foliage gets drier, please be mindful of having bonfires, barbecues and fire pits and follow our safety advice if you do have them:

• place the bonfire or barbecue well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs
• before lighting the fire, check that no pets or children are hiding inside it
• build bonfires so that it is stable and will not collapse outwards or to one side
• never use flammable liquids to light the fire
• don’t burn foam-filled furniture, aerosols, and tines of paint or bottles
• keep everyone away from the fire – children must be supervised all the time
• for an emergency, keep buckets of water, the garden hose or a fire extinguisher ready
• pour water on the embers before leaving