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Police investigate fire involving dozens of wheelie bins

Joshua AskewSouth East
News imageEddie Mitchell Scores of wheelie bins are seen from a distance. Some of them are on fire. Eddie Mitchell
There were more than 25 calls from the public about the smoke, ESFRS said

A police investigation has been launched into a fire involving dozens of plastic wheelie bins in Brighton.

Firefighters were called to the blaze in Sheepcote Valley at about 13:00 BST on Tuesday, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (ESFRS) said.

"There is quite a lot of smoke, and we are asking people to keep doors and windows closed," it added.

Sussex Police said that the fire, which has since been extinguished, is believed to have been started deliberately.

There are no reports of injuries.

News imageEddie Mitchell Thick smoke pours from a concrete square where there are scores of wheelie bins. Eddie Mitchell
The fire involved multiple wheelie bins, ESFRS said

Thick smoke was pictured over central Brighton following the blaze.

Two fire engines attended the scene, with firefighters using two main jets and firefighting foam, as well as two breathing apparatus, to extinguish the fire, ESFRS said.

There were more than 25 calls from the public about the smoke, it added.

News imageRichard Campbell Smoke is seen over a beach. In the background are white Regency buildings and a Victorian pier. Richard Campbell
The public have been urged to avoid the Sheepcote Valley area following a fire

Shortly before 15:00, firefighters said were damping down the area with hose reel jets to ensure any hot spots were dealt with, ESFRS said.

Sussex Police said that temporary road closures had been in place at the junction of Wilson Avenue and Warren Road but had since been lifted.

The force urged witnesses or anyone with information about the fire to contact them.

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