FLY–TIPPED RUBBISH TORCHED

FIREFIGHTERS TACKLE BLAZE AT SIDE OF CANAL

ARSONISTS torched four tonnes of fly-tipped rubbish left dumped at the side of a canal in Nuneaton.

Initial 999 calls suggested that there was a fire at the Anchor Inn pub on Mancetter Road but when fire crews arrived they found the blaze was on the opposite side of the canal.

On further inspection, Blue Watch found that it was in fact four tonnes of fly-tipped rubbish that had been torched.

It took firefighters just over half an hour to put out the flames on Tuesday night but the situation could have been far worse according to Moreno Francioso, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service’s community fire prevention and arson manager.

He attended the call-out at just before 11.30pm and said: “This was a very serious incident that we were able to get under control quickly, however it could have been a lot worse.

“Fly tipping is illegal and with the current hot weather materials that are combustible can quickly set alight and spread.”

Anyone caught fly-tipping can be fined up to £20,000 or face a prison sentence and the fire chief appealed to people who may spot suspects in action to come forward.

“If you do see an instance of fly tipping please report it to the police immediately,” he added.

Those who have spotted flytippers in action or have any concerns about fly-tipping can call the police on 101.