A fire that destroyed an emergency phone line at a Cornish beach is believed to have been caused by a barbecue in a bin.

Residents and visitors are being asked to make sure barbecues are fully cooled before throwing them away following the incident at Perranuthnoe Beach, known locally as Perran Sands, near Penzance.

A phone line which was used for emergencies at the beach was damaged A phone line which was used for emergencies at the beach was damaged (Image: Cornwall Council)

Cornwall Council said that the fire destroyed the bin, various signs and a phone used by members of the public and RNLI lifeguards during emergencies.

The phone line, which was installed due to poor mobile phone signal at the beach, will cost thousands of pounds to replace.

Disposable barbecues take several hours to cool down and should not be moved or put in a bin until they are fully extinguished, using water or sand.

The council are now offering advice on what to do when planning to have a barbecue in an open place. 

Keep safe and follow these beach barbecue safety tips from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.

Put the barbecue on a stand or non-flammable flat surface away from anything that can catch fire

Never use petrol or paraffin to start or revive your barbecue 

Don’t use a barbecue indoors or in a tent

Keep a bucket of water or sand nearby for emergencies

Never leave a barbecue unattended

Keep children, pets and beach games away from the cooking area

Do not dispose of the barbecue until completely extinguished and cold, using water or sand

Never bury a barbecue in the sand. Hot metal grill plates, embers and hot sand can cause serious injury

Councillor Carol Mould, portfolio holder for Neighbourhoods at Cornwall Council, said: “We want everyone to enjoy our beautiful beaches but please be responsible. If you want to have a barbecue, check the rules for wherever you are and don’t put it in the bin unless it is completely extinguished.”

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service wants people to understand the importance of disposing barbecues correctly Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service wants people to understand the importance of disposing of barbecues correctly (Image: Cornwall Council)

Councillor Martyn Alvey, the portfolio holder responsible for Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, added: “Incidents involving barbecues and outdoor fires can quickly spread and become out of control.

“Every year Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service is called to incidents that could have easily been prevented.

“Please be careful and do not put yourself or others at risk.”