Ten homes were damaged in Crawley, West Sussex, after a fire believed to have started from a barbecue swept through the residential area of Ash Keys on Monday afternoon. The blaze prompted a large emergency response, with four properties left seriously damaged, and comes amid a heightened fire risk across the county due to prolonged dry, warm weather.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 2.40pm, with eight fire engines from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service attending. Crews said they were working to bring the fire under control, while the service used the incident to renew warnings about the elevated Fire Severity Index, urging residents to avoid disposable barbecues and bonfires, dispose of litter and smoking materials safely, and report any signs of fire promptly.