My neighbour has built a bonfire in the garden

[Alexindisguise]

Presumably to be lit tonight. It's big, about 10ft away from the back of our semi detached houses.

Aibu to be alarmed and think no one in their right mind would do this?

They've only lived here a few weeks, so don't know them at all.

Other than be on standby with a hose pipe tonight, anything we can do?

A man owns a tiny bit of land behind our stables. He once lit a fire about 20' from the stables (because it was the most convenient area for him, he said when I went to complain). It was my "well I hope you've got very good third party insurance then, because I will be suing you if there's any damage" comment that seemed to make him reconsider. He now does them at the other end, far away from our wooden stables.

You need to ring the fire brigade and report this. It is highly dangerous this close to the house. Sorry if I'm too late writing this. My ex husband did something like this but with dry autumn leaves when I was away and set fire to all the fencing in our garden. I was bloody livid when I got home.
It only takes a strong wind.

Some people are idiots

If the bonfire has pallets and furniture on then 15ft is still ridiculously close

What a muppet 😱

I also think you need to ring the fire brigade and report.

Why do people build bonfires in their back garden?

Do you have fences between your gardens? Are they wood?

I wouldn't wait to see if it got dangerous. I'd be calling 101. Fire can spread so quickly.

Furniture as in foam cushions? That gives off toxic smoke. Dont wait for him to light it, phone 101 and drop him in it. You tried being reasonable.

What an idiot!

If it's that close and uncontained don't mess around, fire brigade as soon as its lit.

In a prior house we had an old factory site at the end of the garden.
First two years nothing but they demolished the factory.
Each year after that gypsies and travellers had their own community bonfire.
Every year the bonfire getting bigger you can imagine the variety of materials not to mention the impressive fire works.
Any attempt at regulating or even communication was pointless.
Scary.

Agree with others, report! I wouldn't be able to breathe.

I would definitely report this! The smoke could be dangerous if its furniture with foam like sofas never mind the risk of fences catching etc.

Idiots!

Why some people aren't more respectful of how dangerous fire can be I don't know. Maybe they should take a walk around a house that's been completely gutted by it (not through idiocy in my experience, by electrical fault) and rethink! As if our fire services aren't going to have enough to do tonight without dealing with muppets like this.

I honestly think home bonfires should be banned, or you should have to have some mandatory safety training beforehand.

Have a look on your local council's Facebook page. Mine has been posting a number for people to call about bonfires for the last couple of days.

Bloody hell he sounds like an idiot!
Surely he is going to have a huge burnt patch covering half his garden afterwards too.

Keep a close eye on it and if it looks like it’s getting out of control ring 999 straight away.

I would go out and very visibly take photos.

Photos of your fence, photos of your windows and anything meltable. Photos of any plants and photos of the bonfire itself.

If they ask say you are taking them for insurance purposes. It might make them think. If they don't ask then you still have photos for insurance purposes.

So playing devil's advocate here many years ago we did a bonfire for the church garden as there was lots of waste that needed to be dealt with. A neighbour took exception and rang the fire brigade who dutifully came out. The fire service were rather impressed with the way that the fire had been built as it more than complied with all rules and safety measures and in fact we were praised as it was the best constructed fire they had ever seen. The neighbours were annoyed as they were given a lecture on when to ring 999.

It all rather depends on the firestarters experience and the rules in your local area.

Scrowy's suggestion is good.

For those asking why she's not dialled 101 yet - technically the neighbour has't done anything wrong at the moment. As and when he sets fire to the pile of rubbish, it will be a different matter.

I know in our area its illegal to have a bonfire in and arround built up areas regardless of private or social housing. Alot of councils require a licence. You could phone the fire brigade they will come and assess it and also advise your neighbour of its hazzard if a risk is posed.

Would it not be acceptable to ring 101 to ask how to contact a fire dept representative if there is no answer at the local fire dept? If you know of someone about to light a pretty dodgy fire?

Anyway, I guess it's getting too late - he will probably light it soon, it's about to go dark..

I'll wait right here till it's dark and see what happens when he lights it.

If I was you I’d starting hosing down your adjoining fence now

Fuck the fence, hose the bonfire!

How close is your local fire station op? If it’s local I would just pop by and speak to them if they’re not answering the phone.

So action taken:
I've looked on the council website, there is a form to complete to report a nuisance bonfire and can upload photos, which I've done and will do again once lit. Seems they are allowed so long as not a nuisance, which I can't prove yet as not lit.

Logged with 101 but they said similar to above, anyway its logged whether they come as a preventative measure or not remains to be seen, but I didn't get the impression they would.

I've contacted the local fire station by Facebook, so will see if anything comes of that.

Thanks for all the advice, I have been taking it all on board.

Hopefully you will have some heavy rain so his pile of wood won’t light!