Firefighters tackle blaze at Southsea's Canoe Lake as people use buckets of water to fight flames
PEOPLE armed with buckets of water and a fire extinguisher rushed to fight a blaze at Southsea’s Canoe Lake today.
The incident happened at about midday, sparking a response from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.
It’s understand a large patch of grassland has caught fire on the next to the lake.
The blaze is believed to have been started by a disposed barbecue, fire crews say.
Photos from the scene show a black trail of scorched grassland leading from the dumped barbecue onto the Common.
Video footage from the scene shows a sizeable patch of land has been left blackened by flames.
Witnesses claimed nearby lifeguard crews were among the first to the scene.
Passersby have been pictured attempting to quell the blaze with a fire extinguisher and buckets of water.
Firefighters from Southsea have now taken over and are using water hoses to dampen down the scorched earth.