Safety warning follows weekend fires

These were relatively minor incidents. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service personnel responded quickly as were able to extinguish the fires before damage to life or property occurred.

Burning rubbish can however, have more serious repercussions, especially if the fire occurs in a residential premises.  For example, at around 11pm the same night, a fire broke out in the bins of a four-storey block of flats in Hailesland Grove, in the Sighthill area of Edinburgh. Three fire crews from Sighthill fire station were in attendance, and two firefighters in breathing apparatus had to enter the burning building. Having extinguished the fire, crews remained at the scene to vent smoke.

Bins contain a variety of flammable materials, and members of the public should take particular care to ensure that all cigarettes are fully extinguished before putting them in bins. People should also ensure that hot items (such as burnt food) are allowed to cool thoroughly before being thrown away.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service also addressed the problem of deliberate fire-setting. “Without commenting on the causes of any of these incidents, we wish to remind the public that deliberate fire-setting is not only irresponsible and dangerous to the lives and property of others, but also a serious criminal offence that can attract severe custodial penalties.”