A picture has emerged of a couple barbecuing just metres away from the scene of a wildfire.

The image comes after temperatures reached all time highs of more than 40°C last week and blazes spread across large parts of the UK, particularly across east London.

A major part of the advice to prevent wildfires is to not have barbecues in public spaces, but the pair ignored the advice.

The couple was spotted having an outdoor barbecue at the south end of Millfields Park in Hackney, east London, on July 16 – where hours before the patch of grass was alight with flames.

Firefighters were called out to tackle the blaze which left the ground charred and blackened. It took them an hour to extinguish the fire.

Although it is not known what caused the fire, the section of the park has been victim to arson attacks in the past.

Millfields User Group, a group of local people who support the park tweeted: ‘Can’t believe this… South Millfields orchard was on fire this afternoon and tonight there is a couple having a BBQ yards away from the burnt grass.’

Volunteers from the Tree Musketeers, a community group dedicated to planting and growing plants across Hackney’s parks were left devastated by the news.

In 2009, they planted 51 trees in the park and a few of these were destroyed by the blaze.

‘Disposable barbecues that have been abandoned can still end up causing a fire as hot coals can smoulder and pose a real fire risk for some time after the flames die down – they need to be put right out and cooled before being safely thrown away. 

‘We would also ask people not to barbecue on balconies. It’s easier than you might think for a balcony fire to spread to others, which could not only leave you homeless but displace hundreds of your neighbours too.’

He continued: ‘People will want to cool down but don’t dive into open water as it’s colder than it looks.

‘There is the risk of cold water shock, which can cause your body to go into shock no matter how fit you are. It causes panic, anxiety, disorientation and loss of muscular control, which cause you to gasp for air and as a result, inhale water. Rather than struggling, follow the RNLI advice and “float to live”.

‘In this extreme heat, please keep an eye out for vulnerable neighbours and family members and make sure you keep hydrated.’

A spokesperson for Hackney Council told Metro.co.uk: ‘Barbecues are not allowed in our parks, guidance we reiterate during periods of hot weather when they present an acute fire risk.’

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