REMNANTS of a barbecue are thought to have been the possible cause of a fire in Liverton which completely destroyed a summer house today (Aug 7).

Firefighters from Bovey Tracey and Newton Abbot worked hard to make sure the flames did not spread to the main property in Benedicts Road after the alarm was raised at 10am.

The blazing building, measuring 5m by 4m, had already burned to the ground by the time crews arrived at the scene.

The nearby home escaped with some heat damage to plastic guttering and fascia boards.

This morning’s drama prompted fire chiefs to urge all people enjoying barbecues to make sure they properly disposed of their coals.

It’s thought coals used for a barbecue last night may have been the source for the blaze.

A spokesman said: ‘There were no electrics to the summer house, so the likely cause may have been coals which can hold their heat for a considerable time.’

Two sets of breathing gear were worn by firefighters who used a couple of hosereel jets to extinguish the flames.

The contents of the summer house - painting materials - were also consumed in the inferno.