Wheelie bin fire spreads to St Brelade house

Sunday 14 August 2016

A home owner in St Brelade telephoned the fire service today after smoke began to fill the property, accompanied by several loud bangs.

Two fire engines with nine firefighters rushed to the incident at 15:30 and the occupant was advised to leave the property.

It was quickly discovered that the fire had been caused by hot coals being discarded into the wheelie bins. 

A neighbour from a nearby property had attempted to extinguish the blaze using buckets water.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus quickly extinguished the blaze with a high pressure hose reel and thermal image cameras were used to check and confirm the fire had not spread to the inside of the building.

Fire damage was contained to the exterior of the building area although there was some light smoke damage on the ground floor.

Watch Commander Richard Ryan said “The fact is that coals and ashes from fires can remain hot enough to start a fire for long after you think the fire is out.

“When it is time to dispose of the ashes, transfer them to a metal container and wet them down and keep the metal container outside your home and away from any combustibles.”