Gas bottle fire - Eye - Peterborough

31 July 2008, 6.12pm

One crew from Dogsthorpe and one crew from Stanground were called to a gas barbecue on fire at Beaulieu Court in Eye.

A family had bought a new gas barbecue and planned to have a small party in the garden when they used it for the first time. However, the tube connecting the gas cylinder to the barbecue popped out halfway during the gathering and flames started coming out of the tube.

Callum Faint, Watch Manager at Dogsthorpe Fire Station, said: "The tube was snaking around the garden shooting flames and it would have been extremely dangerous for anyone to tackle without full protective fire kit.

"The family did exactly the right thing. They phoned 999 straight away and we were on the scene within minutes."

When crews attended wearing full fire kit, they turned off the gas supply and used one hose reel to douse out the flames.

No one was injured during the incident.

WM Faint, added: "I would like to stress the importance of thoroughly checking all the connections when using a gas barbecue, to make sure that they are safe and secure before the gas and heat is turned on.

"It only takes a couple of seconds, but it could mean the difference between a fun and enjoyable barbecue, or one that is unforgettable for all the wrong reasons."

Further details on barbecue safety.