Man sets fire to living room with BBQ because he had no power to cook

A man set fire to his living room because he did not have any power to cook and lit a barbeque.

Fire crews were called to the 66-year-old's flat in Leatherhead, Surrey after the fire spread from the disposable barbecue.

Neighbours said they had seen smoke coming from the same window two days before and had gone round to check if he was okay.

Firefighters were alerted to the fire by a neighbour who spotted flames inside and the crews found the man taking refuge from the smoke and flames in his bathroom.

The man was taken to Epsom Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. He told firefighters he had lit the barbecue because he had no power cook any food.

A man living in a nearby flat, who wished to remain anonymous, said:

A Surrey Fire and Rescue Service spokesman added: