THE fire service is urging residents not to light bonfires during high temperatures, after they were alerted to a bonfire at an allotment site in Andover on the hottest day on record.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service were alerted to a bonfire at an allotment in Vigo Road, Andover, at around 8.45pm on Tuesday night (July 19).

As the fire was under control crews didn’t attend, however the service has raised concerns about this type of fire in the conditions.

Temperatures in the UK were record-breaking on Tuesday, reaching more than 40C in parts of the south of England.

A spokesperson said: “We advised the caller to ring back if anything changed. It’s normal procedure not to attend bonfires that are under control and we received no further calls about the matter.

“Due to the extremely dry conditions we’re asking people not to light bonfires, campfires or barbecues outdoors and to take extra care as fires in the open can spread out of control very easily.”

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