Warning after discarded cigarette causes blaze

Firefighters have issued a warning after a discarded cigarette in a wheelie bin caused a blaze which spread to a parked car, garage and house.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said it was called on 13 July to Potters Way, Measham to a report of a fire in a wheelie bin. The service said the fire then spread, and three crews were required to tackle the blaze.

In a social media post, the fire service said the cause of the blaze was determined to be a cigarette which was put into the bin before it was fully extinguished.

It urged people to fully extinguish cigarettes before disposing of them as well as to use a proper ashtray and make sure ashes were completely cold before disposal.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "Blazes started by cigarettes and other smoking materials remain the deadliest type of fires in the UK.

"Please be extra careful when putting out smoking materials, especially if out and about in the countryside, as they can easily start wildfires in these conditions."

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