The fire service is urging people to avoid using barbecues during the coronavirus lockdown to prevent risk.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) called for people to avoid using barbecues during the coronavirus outbreak and has urged people to “stay home but stay safe.”

It comes after firefighters responded to a serious garden fire in King’s Lynn last week.

NFRS tweeted: “BBQ’s need full attention whilst cooking and clearing away. We recommend avoiding use of BBQ’s during this period to reduce risk.”

They are urging people to take extra care at home to help reduce the risk of fire and the demand for their services.

A NFRS spokesman said: “We are committed to ensuring we maintain a frontline response so we will always be available for emergency call outs in these challenging times.

“Appliances such as barbecues do increase the risk of fire and we would ask people to be extremely careful if they do decide to use them.”

Measures to slow the spread of coronavirus were introduced by the government last week which limits gatherings to two people.

Police are asking concerned members of the public to report those not adhering to the new restrictions to them online.

A police spokesman said: “Our focus going forward is to reassure, inform and engage with local communities to ensure people understand why these restrictions are in place.

“This will be done by traditional methods of engagement, education and communication. The priority is to keep people safe, reinforce the government’s messages and of course to protect our NHS.

“We will, where appropriate, initially disperse people rather than use enforcement. If we come across people choosing to break these rules, we will respond accordingly.

“The majority of people are already making sacrifices to save lives which we are grateful for and we urge everyone to follow the advice that is designed to keep us all safe.”

Contact Norfolk Police online at www.norfolk.police.uk

Fire safety advice can be found at www.norfolk.gov.uk/fire