Late-night fire in Northampton after picnickers throw disposable barbecue away in public bin

A fire crew was called out to Sixfields last night after a disposable barbecue was thrown away in a bin.

The fire broke out in a bin on Walter Tull Way yesterday after the tray of hot ashes was put in a bin at around 11.30pm.

The small blaze was extinguished by the person who disposed of it by the time the fire crew arrived.

Thursday was the hottest day of the year on record and reached highs of 32 degrees Celcius in Northampton.

Official safety guidance on disposable barbecues states to wait until the tray is completely cool before moving it, and to empty ashes on bare soil.