Dozens of firefighters tackle blaze ‘sparked by disposable barbecue’

‘We cannot stress enough how irresponsible this is, especially in these current times,’ says fire service

A disposable barbecue is thought to have caused a fire at Puddletown Forest, in Dorset, that took about 60 firefighters almost five hours to put out, 26 April 2020. (Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service)

A disposable barbecue is thought to have sparked a huge forest blaze that took firefighters almost five hours to put out.

About 60 firefighters from nine different stations worked into the evening after being called out to the gorse fire at Puddletown Forest, in Dorset, on Sunday afternoon.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service shared images on Facebook and Twitter showing the extent of the damage caused to the surrounding area and wildlife, including one of a burnt out disposable barbecue.

“This afternoon a member of the public thought it would be a good idea to have a BBQ in #puddletownforest,” it wrote.

“This caused a large forest fire burning gorse and heath and also destroyed wildlife.

“Please follow government guidance and only go outdoors when necessary, this will help us and prevent these damaging, resource intensive fires starting @dorsetheaths.”

It added: “We cannot stress enough how irresponsible this is, especially in these current times,” the fire service wrote.

“This is an example of why we are urging people NOT to have bonfires. They quickly spread in this current dry weather."