Members of the public have been warned about the dangers of burning their own garden waste after an out of control bonfire caused significant damage to a house in Mitcham.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) has made the warning following the fire on Saturday (23 April) afternoon. Four fire engines and 21 firefighters were needed to deal with the blaze, which was started accidentally when a brazier being used to burn waste ignited other combustible items in the back garden of the house in South London.
The fire badly damaged the ground floor of the two-story house and destroyed a shed in the garden. Two sheds belonging to neighbouring properties were also damaged by the blaze.
The LFB says that 14 people were forced to leave the house and neighbouring properties before the firefighters arrived, though there were no injuries. The fire began at 5.17 in the afternoon and was under control by 7.23.
A spokesperson for the LFB said: “If you’re having a bonfire or are burning rubbish in a brazier make sure you never leave it unattended and always keep it well away from your home, sheds or fences.”
It is illegal to burn most types of waste, including construction, mixed household and farm waste. Plant waste and untreated wood can be burnt if you have the correct permissions from the Environment Agency. Members of the public may qualify for the D7 exemption needed to burn such waste if the waste is to be burned where it was produced and if no more than 10 tonnes is burned in 24 hours.
This exemption applies mainly to people who burn their own plant material, including branches, shrubbery, foliage, clean wood and vegetation, in their garden. Painted fences, sheds, furniture and general rubbish are not allowed to be burnt in the open.
Those found to be illegally burning commercial or trade waste can be fined up to £20,000 under the Clean Air Act, while a £50,000 fine can be given to those carrying out illegal waste management under the Environmental Permitting Regulations.
More information on burning waste can be found at the Environment Agency's website.
Get our weekly digest
resource.co article ai
How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.