Greater Manchester is the worst place in the UK for BBQ-related fires, according to new figures.
Emergency crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue responded to 121 BBQ-related callouts in 2018 – a rise of 80 per cent over the previous year.
This was almost twice as many as London, which was the second busiest area, with 70 fires recorded as BBQ-related.
South Yorkshire (64), Surrey (63) and West Yorkshire (44) made up the top five busiest areas.
The figures were revealed following a Freedom of Information request by Swinton Insurance.
The 45 fire authorities which responded to the FOI request attended 917 barbecue-related callouts in 2018 – an increase of 28 per cent on the 717 callouts in 2017.
Angela Bowden, a home insurance expert from Swinton Insurance, said: “Summer appears to have finally arrived and Brits will be loving the idea of enjoying a BBQ in the sun.
“But not following the correct BBQ etiquette can have costly repercussions with no shortage of horror stories about fires in gardens, houses and beauty spots.”
Over the next few weeks, Brits are expected to be outside cooking burgers and bangers as the nation basks in the delayed start to summer.
However, the consequences of BBQ-based fires and incidents can be devastating.
Earlier this year, more than 700 acres of National Trust moorland in West Yorkshire were destroyed in a fire started by a BBQ at a popular picnic spot.
The moorland fires this year and in 2018 have resulted in some councils banning BBQs in certain areas.
In June, 20 flats were destroyed and 10 were damaged when a blaze tore through an apartment block in Barking, London, with builders blaming the fire on a BBQ on a resident’s wooden balcony.
And last year, in Peterborough, an incorrectly discarded BBQ burned down a shed, part of a conservatory and melted house guttering.
On top of fires, crews also have to respond to incidents where people have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning by cooking on BBQs in tents or indoors.
Neil Odin, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council Prevention Committee, said: “It is likely that last year’s hot summer was a factor in the increase of BBQ-related calls made to UK fire services.
“I would urge anyone who is having a BBQ to follow simple, basic rules to ensure they stay safe.
“It is always nice to enjoy the good weather and enjoy our gardens, but by taking a few simple measures barbecue fires can easily be avoided.
“This will lead to less damage to homes and gardens, while reducing pressure on fire services.
“Earlier this year, a wildfire on Yorkshire’s moors was thought to be caused by a discarded disposable barbecue, showing the devastating impact they can have.
“At one point, this fire covered more than six miles.”
Angela Bowden added: “It is vital to follow advice from fire services but also important to ensure you have the right insurance in place just in case the worst should happen.
“Most insurers will cover you for fire damage to your home and contents caused by a BBQ fire, but we’d advise you to look at your policy to be safe.
“You will also usually be covered for legal liability in case your BBQ causes injury to someone or damages their property, such as a spark from your BBQ setting fire to a neighbours shed.
“However, it is worth remembering that a claim may be reduced or not paid at all if the fire damage was caused by negligent behaviour, such as being drunk.”
