Barbecue fire safety tips from Fire Brigade

Fahad Redha

April 24, 2026
3 min read

Barbecue fire safety tips from Fire Brigade

Ahead of the warmer weather, London firefighters are reminding people of the steps they can take to “prevent a barbecue from getting out of control.” Between 2020 and 2025, the Brigade says it saw the steepest increase in barbecue fires in the months of April and May, with crews responding to 127 such fires over that five-year period.

There are “straightforward steps” Londoner can take to keep homes and gardens safe this weekend. If you’ve gotten a new gas barbecue or are using an older model that has been in storage in the winter, it advises taking particular care with gas cylinders. “Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when setting it up and ensure that gas cylinders are changed outdoors,” it said, making sure all controls and valves are switched off before doing so.

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It advises to never use paraffin, petrol, or lighter fluid to get it going, sticking instead to store bought firelighters “as a much safer option.” Accelerants to try and get a fire started, it said, “could easily lead to an out-of-control blaze that could quickly spread.”

The Brigade also says to never use a barbecue, even a disposable one indoors or on a balcony, and be careful where it is positioned, suggesting level ground “well away from anything flammable like sheds, fences, trees, or tents, and not on any decking/”

Never leave it unattended, even for a few minutes, “as that is all it takes for a dangerous fire to take hold,” and always extinguish it “properly after you have finished,” particularly disposable ones “which can smoulder for hours after the flame has been extinguished.

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About Author

Fahad Redha

Fahad is the Content Editor at EyeOnLondon, overseeing the publication’s editorial output across news, culture, and lifestyle. With a background in journalism from the University of the Creative Arts, he brings a broad range of experience from local London reporting in Kensington & Chelsea, where he held roles including motoring, events, and health editor. At EyeOnLondon, Fahad plays a central role in shaping content and maintaining editorial standards. His work spans everything from daily news to feature coverage, with a particular strength in motoring and events. He also incorporates photography into his reporting, adding a visual layer to many of his stories. Fahad joined EyeOnLondon in February 2021.