Firefighters are urging people to never use barbecues indoors or on balconies after a fire on Victoria Parade in Greenwich yesterday evening.
Station Manager Lee Sparks said:
“The residents in the flat had a barbecue on their balcony and then went out. The disposable barbecue was not completely out and burned through and caught light to the decking that they had laid on the floor over the concrete.
"Fire crews used an aerial ladder platform to access the balcony and limit the damage.
“In the summer months we estimate that we attend one fire a week caused by a barbecue being used on a balcony.
“It is really important that people don’t use barbecues indoors or on balconies. Always make sure barbecues are completely cool before leaving them unattended.”
Over the last five years the Brigade has attended 259 barbecue fires across the capital. As summer heats up the Brigade has issued a wide range of hot weather related warnings.
The Brigade was called at 1654 and the fire was under control by 1738. Firefighters from Greenwich, East Greenwich and Lewisham fire stations attended the scene.