Nottinghamshire fire service warning to public over heatwave

Chris Clark from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service urged people to avoid using barbecues in public

Emergency services are urging people to be careful and help prevent fires during the expected heatwave.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews attended 243 incidents over three days during July's heatwave.

The Met Office has issued a four-day amber warning for extreme heat, which covers the East Midlands from Thursday.

People have been urged to avoid using barbecues in public and be careful when disposing of cigarettes and glass bottles.

The service said it had also been to 718 grassfires since April this year - 372 more than the same period in 2021.

The Met Office's warning applies to southern and central England, and parts of Wales, from midnight on Thursday until Sunday.

Temperatures are set to reach 35C (95F) in some areas.

Firefighters declared a major incident after a fire broke out on farmland in Blidworth during July's heatwave

On 19 July, during the last heatwave, the fire service declared a major incident when a large fire broke out on farmland at Blidworth.

Several homes were evacuated as about 85 firefighters dealt with the blaze, which started in woodland.

Fire crews are also still dealing with the aftermath of a blaze at an industrial site in Ranskill, while grass fires - believed to have been started deliberately - have also been reported in the Bestwood, Bulwell and Top Valley areas of Nottingham, where the city council has issued a temporary ban on barbecues in its parks.

Insp Christine Busuttil, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "During the unprecedented recent spell of hot weather, and with the current tinder-dry ground conditions, even small fires in the open can very quickly spread and get out of control.

"Deliberately lighting fires is highly irresponsible and has potential to cause widespread damage and harm, as well as threatening homes and the people living in those areas."

Chris Clark, group manager for prevention at Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, added: "Our ask would be for members of the public to be careful, stay safe, consider what they're doing with disposable barbecues - we really would ask that they're used in a home environment not out in public.

"Make sure litter is disposed of appropriately and another key thing is to stay safe around water."