Amazon has removed so-called ‘balcony barbecues’ from its website after they were linked to hundreds of devastating fires.
The retail giant stopped the sale of the barbecues – which are specifically designed to be used on balconies – over concerns they are a safety hazard.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said a string of blazes at flats in the capital had been caused by cooking outside during the lockdown heatwave.
Firefighters have attended more than 600 balcony fires in the city in the last three years, including one at a block of flats in Deptford, south east London, in May which was caused by a barbecue being disposed of in a plastic bag.
Amazon has removed balcony barbecues (file photo above) from its website after the LFB branded the product ‘irresponsible’ and reveal they’ve attended 600 fires in three years
It took 80 firefighters more than four hours to battle a balcony fire in Deptford in May this year
Dozens of residents were evacuated from the building and many people were made permanently homeless, the LFB said.
The fire brigade described how the barbecue was thrown in a plastic bag and left on the balcony, where the blaze started and damaged the sixth floor flat, as well as most of the roof of the building and part of the roof of the next-door block.
The tower block fire took 80 firefighters more than 4 hours to get under control and extinguish.
Residents of the affected flat escaped uninjured but around 100 people were evacuated from the building by firefighters due to the amount of smoke.
Around half of the residents were permanently displaced and are being rehoused by the local housing association, said the LFB.
The fire brigade warned their crews were called out to on average of almost four fires on balconies every week during the summer.
The Brigade’s Deputy Commissioner Richard Mills wrote to Amazon and other companies that stock or manufacture the products last month, describing them as ‘incredibly irresponsible’.
He added they are a serious concern in terms of public safety.
In the call for action, the fire brigade warned balcony fires can be devastating as they can easily spread to neighbouring properties, potentially leaving many people homeless.
The fire service also warned that wind can also fan or carry smouldering cigarettes and embers from barbecues to lower or next-door balconies.
Amazon and gift retailer Menkind both said they removed the items from sale and contacted customers who had bought them offering a full refund if they return or dispose of the barbecues.
Deputy Commissioner Mills said in his call for manufacturers to take action: ‘These balcony barbecues are a staggeringly irresponsible idea and are being marketed carelessly, with hardly any thought as to how dangerous they are.
‘They are an accident waiting to happen and they are even being advertised with images of wooden balconies and with the suggestion customers have a fire extinguisher nearby.
‘There are many hazards which can cause balcony fires and they have the potential to be devastating with highly damaging consequences – with a risk to life and the potential for not just you but your neighbours to lose their homes.
‘We understand people want to enjoy their outside space if they have it, especially at the moment while we are all spending more time at home, but please don’t think it won’t happen to you, because it can.
The LFB warned customers of the potentially devastating consequences of balcony barbecue fires which they say have left people homeless and caused severe damage in London homes
‘We are attending on average almost four fires on balconies every week, and that figure is likely to be much higher during warmer weather.
‘Don’t be the reason you and your neighbours end up looking for somewhere else to live because of your cigarette or barbecue.’
Deputy Commissioner Mills is now urging anyone who has bought similar barbecues and has received an email from one of these companies not to ignore it and to take the risks seriously.
He added: ‘We welcome the prompt and crucial action taken by both Menkind and Amazon in response to the concerns we raised.
‘We advise that people never barbecue on their balconies as balcony fires can be devastating.
‘Products designed specifically for people to barbecue on their balconies are incredibly irresponsible, and we are now asking customers to take action immediately and not to ignore the warning.
‘The fact these companies took such swift action to take these products off the shelves shows what a very real risk they are.
‘However, we remain deeply concerned that other companies did not respond to my letter and that these products may still be available for sale and customers are unaware of the dangers of using them.’
Anyone with a balcony barbecue from another outlet has been told to contact the company and raise the issue if they have not already heard from them.
Amazon said the products were removed when the ‘new evidence’ came to light.
A spokesman said: ‘Safety is extremely important to Amazon. As soon as the London Fire Brigade raised concerns and new evidence about these particular products we took quick action, removed them from sale and contacted customers.
‘We value the expertise of the London Fire Brigade and are committed to working closely with them and other relevant authorities on these matters.
‘If customers ever have a concern about an item they’ve purchased, we encourage them to contact our customer service team directly so we can investigate and take appropriate action.’
LFB deputy commissioner Richard Mills says they are attending on average four balcony fires a week in the capital prompting him to write to retailers urging them to remove BBQs from sale
The brigade gave companies a deadline of until July 10 to respond to the letter and also contacted Trading Standards and asked them to investigate whether the devices should be banned.
Fred Prego, Menkind’s marketing director, 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.’