Firefighters issue barbecue safety warning following Tilehurst fire

Crew manager of Green Watch at Dee Road Fire Station, Tilehurst, Simon Abbott, said one pump was called from the station at around 7.30pm to Linnet Close, Tilehurst, where a gas barbecue was on fire.
The householders, he continued, had managed to isolate the cylinder valve on the barbecue and turn it off before firefighters arrived:
“It can be very dangerous,” added Mr Abbott.
Firefighters used a hosereel to extinguish the remains of the fire and left the scene after half an hour.
The cause was put down to a faulty barbecue. No-one was hurt.
Afterwards, Mr Abbott issued a safety warning for owners of barbecues to ensure they were in safe and good working order:
“They should be clean before use and make sure you know how to isolate the cylinder,” said Mr Abbott.
Safety checks, he continued, were a good idea around this time of year, prior to use, and as barbecues were taken out winter storage, for use outdoors in the better spring and summer weather.