FIREFIGHTERS are urging people in Basingstoke to return any balcony barbecues after a fire at a block of flats in the town at the weekend.

Crews from Basingstoke, Odiham, Tadley and Hartley Wintney were called to Aspire Place on Shetland Road in Popley in the early hours of Sunday morning after a fifth floor balcony caught fire.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said that the fire involved a gas cylinder, and they are now urging everyone who has bought a balcony barbecue from Amazon or MenKind to make use of the companies offering full refunds.

A spokesperson for Odiham Fire Station said: "Following our fire on a high rise balcony early Sunday morning in Basingstoke it goes to show that this type of fire doesn’t just happen in London.

"If you have bought a balcony BBQ from Amazon or Menkind the companies are urging you to return them for a full refund."

Safety concerns about barbecues being used on balconies, including those designed especially for them, were brought to the public's, and retailers, attentions by London Fire Brigade earlier this month.

It came after more than 600 balcony fires in the last three years in the capital, including one in May that was caused by a barbecue being disposed of in a plastic bag.

Menkind’s Marketing Director, Fred Prego, said: "Our customers’ health and safety is of utmost importance and we have taken swift action following fire safety concerns from the London Fire Brigade over the balcony barbecue product.

“We immediately removed this product from sale and contacted Menkind customers who purchased it, advising them not to use it on balconies and that they can return it for a full refund.

“Menkind is committed to complying with the latest product safety laws and regulations and we continuously collaborate with relevant authorities on the matter."