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A call for greater priority to be given to fires started in domestic wheelie bins has been made following a research programme into the menace.
Chiltern International Fire warns that such fires can quickly get out of hand as bins rapidly collapse and melt into a pool of molten plastic, which generates high levels of heat.
“Under controlled conditions we carried out a large-scale fire test to show how quickly a fire could escalate,” said Philip Howard of Chiltern Fire. “Even the smallest standard 9.5kg wheelie bin in common use could generate a potential heat release of 427.5 MJ, with a peak energy output of 0.95MW. There is more than enough energy to involve adjacent low level roof eaves, doors, windows, fences and other combustible products.”
Merseyside and South Yorkshire commissioned the research after six people died in two separate incidents. Mr Howard added: “In both cases, youths are believed to have set fire to wheelie bins stored close to the residence. The fire broke through either a window or door and into the building. Life is definitely at risk. Nearly 30,000 wheelie bin fires were reported in 2006 and the problem will not go away.”