Covid-19: Warning as households burn rubbish due to tip closures

Fire crews in Leigh say they have been called to 12 separate fires involving waste in the space of two days.

They are now warning residents not to burn household rubbish in their back gardens as it is illegal to do so.

The spate of fires come after the borough's recycling centres were closed until further notice earlier this week over the coronavirus.

Kieran Reid, watch manager at Leigh fire station, said: "We've had a lot of people burning rubbish in their back gardens, who can't get to the tip.

"It's illegal to burn household waste. You can burn garden waste but in a container and we'd advise against it at night when it's more noticeable.

"In Leigh in the last two days, we've been called out 12 times to fires involving waste.

One incident at 8pm on Friday saw an aerosol can explode as it was chucked into a burning fire. At around midnight crews were called to another household waste fire that had spread to a conifer tree.

Mr Reid went on to warn of the dangers of setting rubbish on fire to people's health and the environment.

He said: "Our message would be not to be tempted to burn household rubbish.

"Think of your neighbours and the environment and the drain this has on fire service resources.

"It could also be dangerous for people with asthma who may have the coronavirus as it could exacerbate their symptoms."