Retained firefighters from Freshwater were called out this afternoon (Saturday) after a disposable BBQ was thrown over the edge of a cliff, setting fire to undergrowth.
1 appliance was mobilised by fire control at around 13:45 following reports of a small fire at Freshwater Bay.
It’s understood that a picnicking family ditched their rubbish and disposable barbecue by throwing it over the cliff side, causing the dry grass to ignite.
Luckily a large scale fire was avoided on this occasion thanks to the attending crew getting water on the fire in good time. However, next time things may not be so positive with tinder dry conditions posing a high fire risk across the Isle of Wight.
Firefighters are urging members of the public to dispose of rubbish sensibly, including disposable BBQs and any other lighted materials.
