Wheelie bin fire prompts reminder from Council
Published Tuesday 21st April 09
Pendle Council is reminding people about the potential dangers of leaving their wheelie bins out on the backstreets, following a fire in one on Thursday afternoon.
The blaze, which is believed to have been started deliberately, was discovered in a bin at the back of Barkerhouse Road , Nelson.
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service were called to put it out and Lancashire Police have arrested the person responsible.
Phil Emmett from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said:
"We are frequently called out to fires in wheelie bins.
"As well as being a drain on the Fire Service's resources, it is costing taxpayers thousands of pounds too.
"The average estimated cost of a bin fire is £1,970 when you take into account the fire crew's time, administration costs and the cost of replacing the bin.
He added:
"As well as costing money, it can cost lives.
"Five people died in the UK last year as a result of fires started in wheelie bins."
Councillor John David, who looks after bin issues in Pendle, said:
"If the Fire Service is busy attending wheelie bin fires, it could mean they can't respond as quickly to emergencies.
"Please help them by remembering to put your wheelie bin or recycling box away after it's been emptied.
"And remember, if you leave your bins and boxes out after your rubbish has been collected, you risk getting fined £100."
17/04/2009
For further information please contact: Rebecca Heseltine, Communications Team, Chief Executive's Policy Unit, Pendle Council, Town Hall, Market Street , Nelson , BB9 7LG
Tel: 01282 661984
Fax: 01282 661630
rebecca.heseltine@pendle.gov.uk
Notes to Editors
Leaving your bins out after collection is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 gives councils the powers to issue fixed penalty notices to people who leave out their bins and recycling boxes after collection day.
When we find out about people leaving their bins out after collection day, Council staff send them a letter.
This explains the importance of bringing in their bin or recycling box and asks them, politely, to stop leaving them out.
It sets out for residents what will happen if they do carry on leaving out their bins.
After two weeks Council staff visit the area to check if the bins have been taken in.
If they are still left out, householders get a Section 46 Notice which tells them that they must only put out their bin on the day of collection, and take it in again as soon as possible.
If households still leave their bin out, they get a £100 Fixed Penalty Notice fine.
If they do not pay the fine, then they may be taken to court for prosecution which could result in a much larger fine, additional costs and a criminal record.
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