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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Fire Pits. Horrible anti social stink.

158 replies

DarkLene · 12/05/2024 03:00

Am I being unreasonable here? I live in a densely populated area with lots of people packed into a smallish space. Every fucking spring as soon as the weather gets warmer some selfish prick keeps one of these burning all night. The smell and fumes travel and every one else if they don’t want their house smelling like a bonfire has to shut every windows regardless of the heat. They should be banned. Plus pollution, etc.

OP posts:
MumMumMumMumMumMumMum · 12/05/2024 06:56

I agree. I was given one and actually ended up giving it away as it didn't seem right to use it surrounded by so many neighbours

Vettrianofan · 12/05/2024 06:56

Exactly the reason my washing is hung out very early each morning, and brought in at midday so that it doesn't stink later in the afternoon.

bloodyplumbing · 12/05/2024 06:55

@IWishThatYouWouldStay why is a smell during the day not comparable to a smell at night?

Isn't it most councils say bonfires after a certain time in the evening?

IWishThatYouWouldStay · 12/05/2024 06:53

AliceCallous · 12/05/2024 03:26

Oh give over. No, you can't ban everything you don't like the smell of.

Some guy was out mowing his lawn today and the whole street smelled of petrol. Shall we also ban lawn mowers because it was mildly malodorous for a bit?

Ridiculous.

Was your neighbour out mowing his lawn all night? Otherwise, not really comparable?

IWishThatYouWouldStay · 12/05/2024 06:52

Surely if you live in a densely populated area it should be a smoke free zone? Can you report to the council?

I completely agree. I hate the smell of smoke and it clings to everything. Anything that makes somebody else have to close their windows on a warm night is selfish in my opinion.

lemonyfox · 12/05/2024 06:50

Completely agree with the OP. We have a serial fire-pit burner where I live and it makes me miserable. The house stinks, it sets my asthma off and we have to keep our windows shut when it's hot. Hate them fervently.

MaryFuckingFerguson · 12/05/2024 06:49

I agree the open bowl type fire pits are pretty smoky and anti-social. I wouldn’t want to spend an evening sitting near one.

We have got one of these solo stoves. After the first couple of minutes, they are completely smokeless.

Fire Pits. Horrible anti social stink.
JellyMarks · 12/05/2024 06:40

Im really smell sensitive and cannot stand the small of bonfires/fire pits/barbecues….

and I even I know it’s a “me” problem. You can’t ban everything you just don’t like

Pippy239 · 12/05/2024 06:33

Hate the bloody things!

SquashPenguin · 12/05/2024 06:29

I have a much bigger problem with people who play music in their gardens. Fire pits don’t bother me, assuming the whole street wants their peace and quiet ruined does.

rockingbird · 12/05/2024 06:26

I don't mind an evening fire pit, we tend to do ours down the beach hut and watch the sunset. I do have a neighbour who often has fires and I'm forever rushing out to get the washing in the minute I smell smoke..!! That kinda boils my piss a bit..

ThunderSocks · 12/05/2024 06:25

YANBU OP. I can understand why people enjoy firepits, bbqs, bonfires etc - humans have long been fascinated by fire. But we have the same problem here. I live in a flat in a very densely populated area: come 5pm on a warm day, I have the choice of boiling with the windows closed or suffocating with stinky chemical fumes and smoke that floats straight up and in through the windows. Makes it a nightmare to get the kids off to sleep 🙁

Voodoohoodoyoudo · 12/05/2024 06:24

YABU

Live and let live!

stopringingme · 12/05/2024 06:22

YANBU they are the worst thing the smell permeates everywhere @DarkLene

It gives me a headache and I have to shut my windows which is unfair, they should not be allowed in densely populated areas.

I also don't get the love of barbecues - which I know is an unusual opinion on mumsnet.

catlady7 · 12/05/2024 06:20

Yabu

IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 12/05/2024 06:19

JacquesHarlow · 12/05/2024 06:13

And nowadays, the younger generation consider having a garden a luxury because they struggle to afford a home with one. So people should enjoy them.

What a bizarre statement to make in the context of this thread.

Why? It's the truth. So knowing people that have a garden are enjoying them is nice.

shellyleppard · 12/05/2024 06:17

Fire pits are a lovely smell. People who burn plastic/old tyres all night......🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬 Also if you know who is burning why not go round and complain directly??? 🤔🤔

JacquesHarlow · 12/05/2024 06:13

And nowadays, the younger generation consider having a garden a luxury because they struggle to afford a home with one. So people should enjoy them.

What a bizarre statement to make in the context of this thread.

Justleaveitblankthen · 12/05/2024 06:04

AliceCallous · 12/05/2024 03:26

Oh give over. No, you can't ban everything you don't like the smell of.

Some guy was out mowing his lawn today and the whole street smelled of petrol. Shall we also ban lawn mowers because it was mildly malodorous for a bit?

Ridiculous.

Hmm petrol smell... 😍⛽

bloodyplumbing · 12/05/2024 06:04

DarkLene · 12/05/2024 03:11

Well I’m not a lover of the bbq as I’m a veggie and i won’t go on because some smart arse will come along and say you can also bbq veg. The point about the fire pit stench is it’s ALL FUCKING NIGHT.

Did no one tell you that you can have veggie options on a bbq?

Aubergine burgers are amazing!

Try some, may cheer you up.

IpsyUpsyDaisyDoos · 12/05/2024 06:03

People like different things. You can't ban everything you, personally, don't like.

I love the smell, because what it signifies is that people are happy outside. So many people spend all their time inside staring at screens, it's nice to think they're outside enjoying their gardens.

And nowadays, the younger generation consider having a garden a luxury because they struggle to afford a home with one. So people should enjoy them.

I'm sure you do things that not everyone in your vicinity likes. Because we're all different.

NicoleSkidman · 12/05/2024 06:01

YANBU. It’s not just the smell, it’s the pollution too. They create really harmful particulates. I thought we had left the days of smoke pollution behind us.

thebestinterest · 12/05/2024 05:58

😬 are you my neighbor? I’m afraid I never considered how this could impact anyone else. I just assumed everyone liked the smell of burning wood.

MermaidMummy06 · 12/05/2024 03:56

We have one across the road. It makes me ragey because they use strong smelling wood & it's like someone lit a campfire in our lounge room. Everything stinks, including the bed linen & any clothes on the line need rewashing. The smell also gives me migraines.

The bbq argument doesn't stack up because BBQs here are are almost all gas, and the only smell is delicious cooking that makes me want to gatecrash their meal. 🤣

If you're a campfire family, go camping or buy a rural block to live on.

goldenretrievermum5 · 12/05/2024 03:47

DarkLene · 12/05/2024 03:11

Well I’m not a lover of the bbq as I’m a veggie and i won’t go on because some smart arse will come along and say you can also bbq veg. The point about the fire pit stench is it’s ALL FUCKING NIGHT.

In the era of amazing meat alternatives being veggie doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a barbecue. Still a favourite of mine even without the meat nowadays!