FIRE services have begged Brits not to dob in their neighbours for having a barbecue after they were swamped with calls.
Millions of people across England and Wales received an emergency alert on their phones at around 7pm on Friday evening warning them of the risk of wildfires.
Fire services have begged Brits not do dob int heir neighbours for having a barbecue after they were swamped with calls Credit: The Jattvibe
It comes after phones pinged with an emergency alert in England and Wales on Friday night Credit: PA
The government issued the alert warning people “not to light anything that could spark a fire, including barbecues, campfires, and fireworks” with the country in the middle of another heatwave.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that the request “came directly from Fire and Rescue Services”.
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He urged Brits to take the alert “seriously” and “follow the guidance in place” as the UK contends with a series of devastating wildfires.
But the blaring alert sent panic across the nation, as fire services urged people not to call 999 to report their neighbours.
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Fire crews have been desperately battling wildfires across the country in recent days Credit: Getty
They have wrecked havoc across the nation Credit: PA
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service posted to X that they had received a “high volume of calls” urging people to call only if there “is an emergency or fire producing significant smoke”.
“We understand residents may be concerned, but we are unable to respond to reports of neighbours having BBQs, bonfires or campfires in their gardens unless there is an emergency,” they said.
“We support the Government’s message on this and would strongly advise against having bonfires, fireworks, campfires or disposable BBQs during this period.
“Fires can spread quickly and become difficult to control, putting your home and neighbouring properties at risk.”
Meanwhile, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue said they were also experiencing “exceptionally high call volumes”.
They added that they understood the public’s “vigilance” but said to only call 999 if there is a “genuine emergency or immediate risk to life, property or the environment”.
The message was also echoed by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service who urged the public to only call for ” a new emergency”.
It comes after nineteen homes were destroyed after a wildfire grew out of control in Stourbridge, West Midlands, on Thursday.
The blaze left “extensive damage” and resulted in dozens of people needing to be treated by paramedics and evacuated from their homes.
Other locations in the UK have also been affected by wildfires in recent days.
There were multiple reported across the Midlands yesterday, including also in Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham, Warwickshire and Worcestershire – as well as others in Norfolk and Wales.
Chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Phil Garrigan told BBC Breakfast that fire services have been called to 43 new wildfires in the last 24 hours with 11 major incidents declared in the last two days.
He added that nine firefighters have been taken to hospital in the last 48 hours for smoke inhalation after “taking courageous actions”.
The surge in fires came as the UK officially broke its 2026 record for the hottest day on Thursday, with the mercury hitting 38.5C in Kew Gardens, London.
Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State, said the UK’s Emergency Alert system “reflects the seriousness with which the government is acting to safeguard people and property”.
“During this period of extreme heat, we are asking people to take simple steps to limit the risk of further fires,” she continued.
“The government will continue to provide every assistance to communities being impacted by these fires, including the deployment of 100 additional military personnel in major incident areas.”
But the deafening siren sparked a furious backlash with some questioning whether the ear-splitting warning was necessary.
