Pembrokeshire firefighters tackled two life-threatening blazes at the weekend.

Holidaymakers at a Penally holiday park were evacuated as 21 firemen averted a potential disaster on Friday night.

And a Pembroke woman had a lucky escape on Sunday when fire caused by a candle gutted her home.

A warning to take care when disposing of used barbecues has been given by the owner of Crackwell Holiday Park, Malcolm Thomas.

A visitor is thought to have put the remains of a disposable barbecue up against a 200-gallon diesel tank.

The heat melted a hole in the reinforced plastic tank and ignited the diesel, catching the workshop and adjacent storage shed.

With the shed housing the 'potential bomb' of two acetylene cylinders, the fire could have claimed lives as well as causing environmental pollution from leaking diesel.

Mr Thomas said: "Visitors had two barbecues that evening and we have reluctantly reached the conclusion that careless disposal of a barbecue probably caused the fire."

"The building was well alight when the three crews arrived, and the presence of the acetylene cylinders was a potential bomb," said a fire service spokesman. "There have been incidents in the past where these cylinders have exploded in fires with loss of life."

The firefighters had the blaze under control within half an hour. But they had to ensure that the cylinders were completely cool and they remained at the scene for 24 hours.

Five holidaying families had to be found alternative caravan accommodation.

Mr Thomas said: "The firefighters were superb - they were extremely quick and efficient."

There were further concerns over fuel spilling into a nearby stream.

But Environment Agency spokes-man Martin Watkins said: "Although the stream eventually enters the River Ritec, it contained very little water and so there was no movement of the diesel."

In Pembroke, an unattended candle nearly cost Mary Butland her life, when fire gutted her terraced council home - 8 Southdown Close, The Grove.

The blaze broke out at 7.07am on Sunday after Mary, in her 20s, lit a candle during a power cut and fell asleep.

The candle set fire to furnishings and the heat woke her up in time for her to escape unharmed. Fire crews battled the blaze for almost two hours.

An ambulance attended but Mary did not need treatment. There was some smoke damage to the neighbouring property.

A fire service spokesman said: "She was very lucky indeed."

A similar incident occurred at Flat 3 Albion Flats, Wellington Street, Pembroke Dock, on Thursday when a candle in a bedroom set fire to curtains, but the blaze was out when firefighters arrived.