Disposable barbecue blamed for bin store fire

Friday 22 June 2018

Islanders are being urged to be careful when putting their disposable barbecue in a bin after one sparked a fire in bin store near an apartment block at La Greve D’Azette.

The bin store, which suffered significant damage, was located directly below apartments but the fire did not reach any of them.

The fire service was called at around 22:20 after residents saw large quantities of smoke coming from the bin store. The fire is believed to have been started by a disposable barbeque.

Two fire engines were sent to the scene. Fire fighters tackled the fire using breathing apparatus and a hose reel jet. They searched the adjacent store rooms but fortunately the fire was contained to within the bin store itself. A ventilation fan was then used to clear smoke from the bin store. An investigation concluded that the most probable cause of the fire was the "careless disposal of a disposable barbecue."

Watch Commander Andy Gallie said: “During the summer months Jersey Fire and Rescue sees a significant increase in the number of refuse bin fires, primarily due to the careless disposal of throw-away barbeques.  After use, please allow any barbeques to fully cool down, before disposing of them in a refuse bin.”

Picture: Jersey Fire & Rescue.