Lickey Hills Birmingham: Fire fighters advise against using disposable BBQs

Firefighters will continue monitoring the Lickey Hills Country Park fire for another 24 to 48 hours, said a Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue service official.

More than the size of five football pitches – 5 sq. hectare – was damaged in the fire which started around 2pm yesterday. Four homes near the park were evacuated as a precaution but none of them were damaged.

No official cause has been confirmed for the fire. The fire service has advised people against using disposable BBQs in public places. Birmingham City Council also has advice on its website about BBQs not being held in public - unless they are operated by certified professionals.

The evacuated families were allowed to return home last night, said the official. Yesterday, the rescue mission began with four pumps but eventually, it took 12 to put the fire out. The fire is believed to be manmade, said a source.

Station Commander, Robert Sproat, was at the scene from 6pm to 1am yesterday and arrived back at 7.30am this morning.

He said the fire had been out for a while but there were still embers in the root system so they have to dig the root system. “The heat and fire are quite significant and temperatures ran in high 30s,” he said.

They have been doing everything possible for the health and safety of the crew by pitching tents and providing food, sun cream, and water.

The current heat wave hasn’t made things easier either. The crew has to be rotated more frequently because of the warm weather.

Other dangers include trip hazards due to uneven terrain and if someone fell over they would get burnt. They placed overnight monitors at the burnt-down area where unmanned hoses tried to put the embers out.

Bringing the fire under control has been a multi-agency operation with the Birmingham City Council and West Midlands Police, who provided traffic control.

Despite the fire, the local pub, Old Hare and Hounds, had a steady number of customers yesterday. Their premises filled up more so because of the fire as people walked out of homes that where filled with smoke and ashes.

In total on Monday 18 July West Midlands Fire Service received 717 incident calls, 195 more than the previous day (Sunday, 17 July) and 280 more than the number WMFS received on Monday 11 July.

How to avoid a fire - advice on BBQs in public parks

The Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service have reminded people to avoid open fires, but if one starts, get away and call 999 immediately.

They have also cautioned against disposable barbecues as they can set fire to dry vegetation and stay red-hot for hours.

Even at home, keep a bucket of water handy while barbequeing, the fire service has advised - and never discard cigarette ends in parks as they can spark off grass fire.

Birmingham City Council also has advice on barbecues not being permitted in parks. On the local authority’s website it states: “You cannot have a barbecue in a public park or green open space unless it is part of an event and is supplied and operated by a professional certified company.”

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