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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Bertie Adam

Multiple fires reported in Bristol area as temperatures rise

Several fires have been reported in Bristol over the past few days as temperatures rise. And at least one of those fires is thought to have been caused by a disposable barbecue.

A heatwave is on the way for much of the UK, according to the Met Office, and Bristol could see temperatures as high as 35C later this week. And, as the temperatures increase, several fires have already been reported around the city over the past few days.

READ MORE: LIVE: Huge field fire near Chipping Sodbury with six fire crews deployed

Here is a roundup of what we have seen:

The Downs

August 7

Firefighters were called to a fire on the Downs yesterday (August 7) (fb.com/darrenjonesmp)

Firefighters were called to part of the Downs near Circular Road yesterday at around 2.37pm after a grass fire started, growing to 10m x 10m in size. A disposable barbecue was thought to have caused the blaze, with people being urged by the fire service to be careful when using them.

Firefighters managed to extinguish it with two high-pressure hose reels, with Darren Jones, the MP for Bristol North West, posting a statement on Facebook which said that the barbecue that caused the fire was a disposable one, and urged people not to use them on the Downs.

He wrote: "Today, the Downs caught fire due to a disposable BBQ - given how dry the grass is at the moment, it could have been a lot worse than it was. We could also do with not having to use water unnecessarily at the moment. Please stick to picnics!"

Southmead

August 7

Yesterday, firefighters were called to a "large grass fire" in a field, behind homes near Coleford Road in Southmead.

The fire had erupted just metres from the back gardens of houses on the quiet residential street. Photos from the scene show a large plume of smoke rising behind the homes.

A spokesman for Avon Fire and Rescue Service confirmed their attendance, going on to say the blaze measured around 100 metres, with three crews working at the scene to finally extinguish the fire.

The spokesman said at the time: "We attended a fire in the Coleford Road area this evening. Three fire appliances were sent to the scene due to the size of the fire.

"The grass fire measured approximately 20 metres by 100 metres. It involved predominantly grass and heathland.

"A number of outhouses were also affected by the fire. Crews used four high pressure hose reels to extinguish the fire."

Chipping Sodbury

August 8

Smoke billowing from the fire in a field in Chipping Sodbury (Holly Woodruff)

Today saw a large fire in a field near Chipping Sodbury that resulted in crews being called out at around 12.11pm to Hall Lane in Horton.

The large fire involved 30 acres of cut straw, and according to the fire service had an "accidental cause." However, it required crews from six stations - Bath, Yate, Thornbury, Temple, Kingswood and Gloucestershire - to attend and keep the burning combine harvester under control.

A spokesperson for Avon Fire and Rescue Service said: "On arrival, crews found a combine harvester and 30 acres of cut straw alight. Firefighters used one high pressure hose reel, three 45mm jets, foam and a number of beaters to extinguish the blaze."

No injuries were reported.

Manor Woods Valley

In a statement, the fire service confirmed several fires were reported at the South Bristol park today.

It said: "Crews from Bedminster and Temple were called at 15:58 to reports of a grass fire. On arrival, they found three separate fires involving dry grass.

"Firefighters used aquapacks and beaters to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire is currently unknown."

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