Christmas BBQ at construction site sparks fire fears

The BBQ perched on scaffolding at a construction site in Wellington. Photo / APNZ

A construction workers' Christmas mussel barbecue, perched on scaffolding one storey high in central Wellington, was interrupted when a concerned member of the public called the fire service.

Flames and smoke were seen coming from the barbecue, prompting three appliances to arrive at the site at the Vodafone building on Waring Taylor Street about 11.30am.

Station officer Mark Julien said the workers were cooking Christmas lunch.

But he said there were no problems from the cook-up.

"It's not unsafe."

The site manager did not want to comment.