Barbecue warning after emergency phone destroyed

The council said a disposable barbecue was the cause of the fire that destroyed a bin, signs and an emergency phone

A hot disposable barbecue caused a bin fire that destroyed signs and an emergency phone on a beach in Cornwall, a council has said.

Cornwall Council said it happened on Perranuthnoe beach, near Penzance.

The authority said the phone, which had been installed for use by the public and lifeguards due to poor mobile signal at the beach, would cost thousands of pounds to replace.

The council added disposable barbecues should be fully put out with water or sand before being placed in bins.

Councillor Martyn Alvey reminded people that barbecues and outdoor fires can spread quickly

Councillor Martyn Alvey, the portfolio holder responsible for Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Incidents involving barbecues and outdoor fires can quickly spread and become out of control.

“Every year Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service is called to incidents that could have easily been prevented. Please be careful and do not put yourself or others at risk.”