Andy Burnham has imposed a temporary ban on disposable barbecues due to fears of spreading wildfires during the heatwave.

The Prime Minister warned the country 'is a tinderbox right now' due to the current conditions, with Britain experiencing its hottest day of the year so far yesterday at 38.1C (100.4F).

He said shops would begin receiving guidance from today telling them to withdraw single-use grills from sale. 

It comes as firefighters are battling some 37 blazes across England and Wales at the moment.

Mr Burnham said it was 'probable' that some of the blazes had been caused by disposable barbecues as he outlined why his Government was bringing in the temporary ban ahead of a 'difficult weekend'.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live from the West Midlands, where he had been meeting fire crews, the Prime Minister said: 'We've got 37 fires across England and Wales right now, four of them are major incidents.

'I can't on this on this call today say to you that all of them are down to disposable barbies. They're not, and I wouldn't claim that. But it's probable that some of them have been caused in that in that way.

'So that is that is coming from today. It's temporary, but I would just say more broadly to everybody: you know, these problems are far from over. We're going into a difficult weekend. Please just think about the situation that we're in. Britain is a tinderbox right now.

'Setting a fire in any outdoor setting of any kind is a risk to other people's homes. It's a risk to other people's lives. Don't do it. Please don't do it.'

During his visit to Stourbridge on Friday to see the impact of a devastating blaze, Mr Burnham also said the Government will commission firefighting planes to combat the spread of wildfires.

The PM told reporters: 'I've never seen anything like it. I mean, I dealt with wildfires in Greater Manchester, but nothing on this scale.

'I've never seen scenes like this in Britain, where you just see a whole house gutted, smouldering.

'And I met one of the families whose house had gone up in that in that way, so you can imagine how distressing that is for for them, and you feel for them and their kids, and not to go elsewhere.

'You know, it's just unbelievably devastating for people in this in this position.'

Mr Burnham later added it is "clear the climate is changing" and the country has to "react accordingly". 

Advice published online by the Government said disposable barbecues 'have been the cause of a number of serious wildfires across the country over the summer months'.

It added: 'Disposable barbecues cannot be considered a safe product in the context of the ongoing weather and environmental conditions and must not be made available for sale either in store or online at the current time.'

Mr Burnham had suggested earlier in the week that such a temporary ban could be introduced.

The guidance continued: 'During the current drought and heatwave conditions, the government considers that the supply and subsequent foreseeable use of disposable barbecues poses a significant risk to the public, and the environment, and therefore cannot be considered a safe product.

'These guidelines will be kept under review, and will be withdrawn in consultation with relevant departments and agencies, as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks.'

It comes as eight fire engines and about 60 firefighters were called to a grass fire near Commonside East, in Mitcham, south London – prompting a brigade warning about disposable BBQs.

Firefighters tackled a fire yesterday afternoon with about one hectare of shrubs and grassland was alight.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: 'If you're planning to enjoy the weather over the coming days either in a park or other open spaces, please don't take a disposable BBQ with you.

'As this incident sadly proves they pose a significant fire risk – along with poorly disposed of cigarettes.

'The heat from a disposable BBQ can be retained for many hours, even after we think we have put out a barbecue safely. Smoking materials need to be discarded of properly and either dispose of your rubbish in the appropriate bins or take it home with you if none are available.'

Meanwhile, at least six houses were destroyed on Stourbridge's Brunswick Gate, the town's most expensive street that is lined with large family homes worth at least £1million and sits opposite a golf course.

Up to 30 properties in total were damaged as firefighters fought the blaze in the West Midlands, which spread rapidly through dry grass and woodland yesterday afternoon – setting alight homes with residents forced to flee.

One evacuated resident said police told her to leave quickly because they 'thought the fire was changing directions' – so it was 'literally grab what you need and get out'.

Other witnesses said the flames 'jumped from house to house' while people grabbed what they could. A child and three firefighters were among those taken to hospital. 

Drone footage from smoke-filled skies over the leafy market town showed the blaze threatening to engulf even more properties on the edge of a badly scorched field. 

Around 100 firefighters were tackling the inferno which broke out near Stourbridge Golf Course, obliterating 40 acres of land. Golfers are said to have fled in their carts.

Residents said ash was 'raining down' amid the 'very strong' smoke. Some of the impacted homes were on Brunswick Gate, where one sold for £1.25million in 2024. 

Other large detached homes sold for £875,000 in 2017 and £900,000 in 2012 on what estate agents have previously dubbed Stourbridge's most expensive road.

Local Labour MP Cat Eccles said she believes up to 30 homes were completely destroyed; while paramedics confirmed a total of 54 patients had been treated – including 19 taken to hospital – as a result of the wider West Midlands wildfires. 

A Stourbridge councillor described 'apocalyptic scenes' – and one witness said he saw the fire spread rapidly, consuming hedges, power lines and even a fire engine. 

Another man whose mother's home burnt down in a fire in the Highters Heath area of Birmingham said she has lost everything, including 100 years' worth of family photos. 

Meanwhile in Staffordshire, six firefighters were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion after battling wildfires in the county. 

The chairman of the National Fire Chiefs Council said today that the fire service is 'under significant pressure' with 11 major incidents declared across the UK.

Extremely hot weather will continue in south-east England, East Anglia, Lincolnshire and the Midlands today with temperatures reaching between 29C and 34C.

East Midlands Railway issued an 'essential travel only' alert for the third day in a row; while c2c, Great Western Railway and West Midlands Railway axed some services.

Temperatures hit 38.1C at Kew Gardens in south-west London yesterday, making it the warmest day of the year so far. 

Yesterday was also the ninth day of the year when temperatures hit at least 35C, the fourth day for 36C, and the third for 37C – all three being new records.

The heatwave is set to continue into this weekend with temperatures of up to 30C in southern England, before highs slip to around 27C to 28C by the start of next week.

Today, a UK Health Security Agency amber heat health alert was extended until 10am tomorrow for much of England – having originally been due to end at 9pm tonight.

The Government agency warned of increased demand on health services and a 'rise in deaths, particularly among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions'.

The alert for the East Midlands, West Midlands, South East, South West, London and East of England was extended. All other regions remain under the alert until tonight.

Officials urged people to take precautions such as staying hydrated; checking in on vulnerable friends and family; and staying out of the sun at the hottest part of the day.

Almost one in four Britons have seen disposable barbecues abandoned in parks and other public spaces, according to a new poll.

The survey of 2,000 adults commissioned by sustainable refill company CO2 YOU found 24.4 per cent had noticed littered disposable barbecues in parks, on beaches or in other public outdoor spaces.

More than a third, 36.8 per cent, had seen discarded glass bottles on beaches or in other public outdoor spaces.

CO2 YOU plans a pilot service in east London this weekend to reduce the number of disposable drinks bottles taken into parks.

Its bubble-blowing electric bikes will respond to WhatsApp requests from parkgoers and deliver free chilled sparkling water, allowing people to refill existing bottles.

CO2 YOU founder Marcus O’Donovan said: 'At a time when the Government is considering banning disposable barbecues and the RSPCA is warning that glass litter can trigger fires, it is alarming that so many people are still seeing both abandoned in our public spaces

'On hot, dry days, litter isn’t just ugly, it can become dangerous. Local fire services have asked Brits not to bring litter into parks, or to make sure they take it back with them. We hope that our Bubble SOS does a little to help keep bottles out of parks, reducing waste and removing another potential wildfire risk.'