A NATURE charity has appealed for people to stop using disposable barbecues following recent fires at Woodchester park. 

There was an incident at the grounds yesterday evening (Monday, August 8) and another separate incident there last month. 

Stroud Valleys Project said that the barbecues pose a ‘huge fire risk’ on dry grass due to the hot weather. 

They said in a Facebook statement: “Disposable barbecues led to a fire last night at Woodchester park and smoke could be seen from Rodborough Common. 

“Thankfully Stroud's firefighters arrived to deal with the problem before it escalated.

“With tinder-dry grass everywhere, using a disposable barbecue poses a huge fire risk. 

“If you are tempted to use one, place it on a flat surface, preferably on bricks or slabs.

“Make sure you extinguish it thoroughly by pouring water or sand over it. If possible, wait until it is fully cool and then remove it from the location - barbecues can stay hot for hours after use. 

“Please think ahead if you are planning to use a disposable barbecue and preferably avoid using them altogether.”

It’s the second fire in three weeks that Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service has had to attend Woodchester park. 

In an incident yesterday evening the fire service was called at 7.24pm by a member of the public due to a fire incident in the grounds. 

Two fire engines from Stroud attended and used one hose reel to extinguish the blaze which had affected a section of woodland approximately 10 metres by 5 metres. The crews left the incident at 9.20pm. 

In a separate incident the service were called at around 4pm on 23 July 2022 to a fire in the grounds of Woodchester Mansion. 

One fire engine from Stroud attended and used a hose reel to put out a fire affecting a 30 square metre patch of vegetation. The crew left the incident 4.42pm.