Rubbish & Refuse Fires
There are approximately 22,000 outdoor fires each year in Scotland which require our emergency attendance and approximately 50% of all these outdoor fires involve refuse, rubbish and fly-tipped materials.
With an estimated average cost of £2,000 for each attendance at such incidents, the estimated annual cost to the Service is £22m.
You can help prevent rubbish fires by following our advise:
- Store your rubbish in a secure area if possible
- Keep your garage and shed locked as well as your home
- Keep all flammable liquids locked away
- Consider installing security lighting outside
- Be alert to strangers loitering in your street and call the police if strangers are loitering for some time
- Report any build-up of rubbish to your Local Authority or community fire station. This will help ensure it can be removed and prevent fires
- Report any fly-tipping direct to your Local Authority or to the National Dumb Dumpers Stop line on 0845 230 40 90
- Warn other people if a fire breaks out. Then get out, stay out and call the fire and rescue service out by ringing 999
Remember not to:
- Allow rubbish to block escape routes
- Store rubbish by doors, windows or any other openings
- Store bins or sacks up against your home as fire can quickly spread to buildings
- Overfill your bin or leave rubbish around it
- Smoke in or around storage areas
- Put bins out for emptying until the day your refuse is collected
- Fly-tip materials or leave rubbish to build up outdoors – it could start a fire
- Accept deliberately fire-setting in your community. It’s a crime that threatens lives – report it to the police
Please be careful and considerate when disposing of your refuse and recycling
If a crime is being committed, or is about to be committed, or if there is a risk of serious injury, or if the fire and rescue service is needed, call 999.
