Suffolk: Barbecue warning ahead of seven days of sunshine

Emergency services have urged people to stay safe with barbecues as forecasters predict seven days of sun and temperatures up to 26c.

The warning comes after figures revealed that at least 14 people were taken to Suffolk hospitals with serious burns after using petrol on barbecues and fires.

According to figures released by Ipswich Hospital under the Freedom of Information Act, five were admitted to A&E in the last three years following barbecue and bonfire-related incidents.

Mark Hardingham, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said: “We understand that during the summer months, people are keen to have barbecues and use fire pits and chimineas in their gardens; however we would always urge people to use such items safely, and to follow our fire safety guidelines.”

He added that barbecues should be sited well away from anything flammable, such as sheds, fences and shrubs and make sure it is positioned on a level surface.

Flammable liquids, such as petrol, should never be used to start or revive a bonfire or barbecue.

Phil Garner, forecaster at East Anglia-based Weatherquest, said the next week would be perfect barbecue weather, with lingering high pressure and plenty of sunshine.

He added: “It’s looking like a very pleasant spell of weather indeed for the weekend, it’s fine and dry and I think we will see an awful lot of sunshine.

“It’s not necessarily a heatwave because we will have winds in this neck of the woods, which will be onshore and on to the coast. But there will be quite warm temperatures for the weekend itself, for Suffolk it will be about 23c on Friday, getting to 25c for Saturday inland and Sunday maybe just touching 26c.”