FIREFIGHTERS who tackled a blaze caused by a barbecue near Canford Cliffs beach have said "Will we ever learn?".

Multiple fire crews fought to control the fire, which spread to gorse and trees on Saturday afternoon.

A section of Canford Cliffs promenade was closed off while dozens of firefighters spent more than an hour extinguishing the blaze, which is believed to have been started by a disposable barbecue behind the beach huts.

At the height of the incident, four pumping appliances were at the scene, as well as an aerial ladder platform and a water carrier.

Firefighters used five main lines, supplemented from a pump put into the sea, to put out the fire.

Dorset Police and Poole and Southbourne coastguard teams were also at the scene.

A spokesperson for Poole Coastguard said: "Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service had received a 999 from a person who had seen smoke coming from behind the beach huts at Canford Cliffs and that the trees and grass were on fire.

"We were tasked with setting up a perimeter and making sure that the public were safe while they attended to the fire."

The fire service's safety team tweeted a picture from the scene showing a burnt-out disposable barbecue and said: "Will we ever learn?". 

A service spokesperson has warned about the fire risk posed by barbecues.

They said: "Don't place the barbecue on dry grass or vegetation, and always position the barbecue on a level site, away from wooden fencing, sheds, and hedges.

"Don't move the barbecue until it is completely cool, and make sure any remaining charcoal is cold before disposing of it carefully. Ideally use water to damp down the ashes. If using a disposable barbecue, make sure it is completely cold before disposal."

The fire comes one week after firefighters battled a blaze involving gorse at East Cliff. 

Firefighters spent hours at the scene tackling the fire, believed to have been caused by a smoke bomb, with smoke visible on the other side of the town.