THE fire service was called to a blaze on the balcony of a block of flats in Basingstoke caused by someone having a barbecue.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) was called by a member of the public at 12.31pm on Sunday, June 18 to Crown Heights.

The caller said they could see someone having a barbecue on the balcony of their flat in Crown Heights, in Basingstoke town centre.

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A spokesperson for HIWFRS said: “The fire was out by the time of arrival. Barbecue safety advice was given at the scene.”

A Crown Heights resident, who did not want to be named, said neighbours had rushed to knock on the door to tell them to put the barbecue out.

They added: “Two sides of the balconies are open rails and the other two sides are flammable cladding so it was a very near miss.”

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Crews left the scene at 12.45pm.

HIWFRS is now urging people never to use barbecues on a balcony.

The spokesperson said: “Never use a barbecue, including disposables indoors or on your balcony. When used on balconies, the wind can produce smouldering ash which can easily start a fire in a nearby grassland or neighbouring property.”