TWO fires caused by disposable barbecues were extinguished within one hour of each other on Friday night.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service encouraged residents to “have a picnic instead” after crews from Christchurch were called to disposable barbecue incidents under a bridge and near a golf course on Friday, May 27.

A crew was first tasked at 7.12pm to Iford Bridge in Christchurch where a disposable barbecue was extinguished under the bridge using aquapacks. The service said: “Please be safe when having barbecues in such hot and dry conditions.”

Less than one hour later at 8.06pm a Christchurch crew were again called out, this time to Rolls Drive near the Solent Meads Golf Centre to deal with a bin which was alight.

After extinguishing the fire, the service found it has been caused by a discarded barbecue which was still hot. A spokesperson said: “Be aware that disposable barbecues stay hot for an extremely long time after they have been used.

“Ensure they are appropriately cooled down prior to throwing them away. We would encourage you to have a picnic instead.”