A still-hot disposable barbecue is being blamed for a fire that engulfed a litter bin on Exmouth seafront yesterday (Tuesday, May 21).

The bin on Queen's Drive went up in flames shortly after 3.30pm, sending plumes of black smoke billowing over the beach and road.

A crew from Exmouth Fire Station was quickly on the scene and extinguished the blaze.

Steve Fisher, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Prevention Team, said: "The fire is believed to have been started by someone placing a disposable barbecue into the bin which quickly caught fire.

“If you’re using a disposable barbecue away from your home, please be careful. Coals and barbecue containers can stay hot for hours after you’ve finished cooking so never dispose of them until they have completely cooled. They have been the cause of many wildfires in recent years.

"You can cool your barbecue down by using water or a bucket of sand. Don’t put the barbecue or burnt charcoal in your car or tent. When barbecues cool, they release carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.”