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Prince Albert Fire Department crews were dispatched Tuesday afternoon to put out a recycling bin fire. (file photo/paNOW Staff)
bin fire

Recycling bin goes up in flames

Aug 1, 2019 | 11:28 AM

A fire destroyed a large blue recycling bin in the 700 Block of 19th St. W. Tuesday.

Fire crews responded to the call at around 5:30 p.m. and quickly extinguished the blaze.

“They were called to a garbage can that was burning,” PAFD Deputy Chief Alex Paul said. “When they arrived, it was next to a fence, so the garbage can fire had spread to the fence and a shed. In terms of (damage), some scorching and charring on the building and fence.”

The Prince Albert Police Service is not investigating the fire at this time.

While it’s not known if the fire was intentionally or accidentally set, Paul encouraged residents to always be mindful of what is going in your bins.

“Make sure that you’re not emptying cigarette ashtrays and other types of burning material into your garbage can,” Paul said. “Oily rags, especially some of the natural oils. Linseed oil can cause a fire, but it’s rare and not a lot of people are using linseed oil, but it’s something to keep in the back of your mind.”

He explained leaving some distance between your bins and buildings and/or fences can help reduce the spread of fire in case something does ignite.

Bylaw Manager Suzanne Stubbs reminds residents it is unlawful to tamper with another residents’ bins.

“People can’t put garbage in other people’s garbage cans. You can’t be taking stuff out of their garbage can. You cannot touch someone else’s garbage can. If somebody does and you see it, you contact us and if we can get there in enough time we can deal with the person and issue a ticket,” Stubbs said.

Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni

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