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.
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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.

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The blaze is believed to have been started by a disposed barbecue, fire crews say.

A man uses a fire extinguisher to fight the fire near Canoe Lake as people fill buckets of water to help quell the flames. Picture by Colin FarmeryA man uses a fire extinguisher to fight the fire near Canoe Lake as people fill buckets of water to help quell the flames. Picture by Colin Farmery
A man uses a fire extinguisher to fight the fire near Canoe Lake as people fill buckets of water to help quell the flames. Picture by Colin Farmery
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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.

A firefighter from Southsea inspects the damage to grassland at Canoe Lake. Photo: Colin FarmeryA firefighter from Southsea inspects the damage to grassland at Canoe Lake. Photo: Colin Farmery
A firefighter from Southsea inspects the damage to grassland at Canoe Lake. Photo: Colin Farmery
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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.

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