Public urged to put cigarette butts out properly as fire breaks out at council depot

North East Lincolnshire Council is urging people to make sure their cigarette butts are completely put out before throwing them into a rubbish bin.

It comes after a fire broke out at the council’s Doughty Road Depot at 10pm on Tuesday 20 July.

Humberside Fire and Rescue were called out to the incident after a member of the council’s security team noticed smoke coming from the waste bay.

It was discovered that a worker had tipped waste from their street cleansing vehicle into the bay after collecting waste from litter bins along Cleethorpes Promenade that evening.

Councillor Stewart Swinburn, portfolio holder for environment and transport, said: “Thankfully, a member of security spotted the fire and called the fire brigade immediately. No one was hurt and the fire was put out within 20 minutes.

“A worker had, unknowingly, collected smouldering waste which resulted in a fire breaking out at our Doughty Road Depot.

“With the warm weather we have been having, please make sure your cigarette butt is completely put out before throwing it away. Also, be aware that hot disposable barbecues should never be discarded in litter bins.”

The incident also required a visit from the Environment Agency to ascertain what had happened.