FIREFIGHTERS from across the conurbation were called to a block of flats in Poole after a resident started a barbecue on their sixth-floor balcony.

Crews from Hamworthy, Westbourne, Redhill Park, and Springbourne along with four officers attended the 11-storey Grenville Court residential block in South Road after residents reported seeing smoke coming from the building on Thursday night at 8.31pm.

Kevin Gaertig, who works in the Dorset and Wiltshire fire control room, said: “I’ve worked for the fire service for many years and I’ve never known anyone to do this.”

He said barbecues must only be used where there was space. "Being confined to a balcony on the sixth floor, there isn’t much space. Safety is the most important thing," he said.

The resident was given advice by fire crews and a stop message was received less than 15 minutes after the first call was received.

The fire happened on the first anniversary of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, which claimed the lives of 72 people.

One person who contacted the Daily Echo said: “Unbelievable, people having a barbecue on their balcony in Grenville Court Poole, fire service in attendance, a year after Grenfell Tower.”

Residents in South Road said they saw smoke “billowing” from the balcony. “There was smoke coming from the building and I could see two youngsters standing on the balcony,” said one.

“I saw people running out so I feared it was a room on fire.”

The building, which is managed by Poole Housing Partnership, is due to be refurbished next year.

n A Poole council working party, set up in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster last year to improve fire safety across the borough, has met four times since its formation.

The group was created by the council’s health and social care overview and scrutiny committee to address issues raised in the wake of the fire, which caused the deaths of 72 people.

Meetings have included the involvement Poole Housing Partnership chief executive, Su Spence and have seen building registers and fire service work examined.

A report, produced to update members of the overview and scrutiny committee on its work, has been published ahead of its meeting on Monday, June 25.