Neighbour has just started a fire in garden, it’s not an emergency but can I do anything!l?

[BeesUnicornPot]

On one of of very few nice days here in Belfast.

so I don’t think my house is going to catch fire so it’s not an emergency but I can’t sit in the garden without getting covered in ash.

I’ve asked them to stop… it’s actually a builder burning site rubbish.

I don’t think the fire brigade would come for this as it’s highly annoying not life threatening.

I’ve already spoken to him so am I right in thinking there is nothing else I can do?

You could ring the non-emergency police number and ask their advice? Doesn’t seem sensible from a heat point of view. Is it legal to burn site rubbish in a domestic garden?

They're in the wrong it doubt anyone will enforce regulations. What’s the weather like there? We’ve been advised no bonfires, e very careful with disposable bbqs etc as the grass is so dry. Fire & Rescue might come out if it’s potentially dangerous.

The fire brigade do turn out if you report it - words of advice and all that. In Yorkshire they have anyway...wildfires danger etc..

Well it’s Northern Ireland so half the country will be having fires but the bonfires are generally ‘safe’.

This is just a random builder cutting down trees and burning rubbish.

hottest day of the year so far😕

I’m gutted as we were having a lovely afternoon in the garden now everything is covered in ash and it’s just annoying

It’s illegal to burn rubbish in Belfast.
Contact the council.

So this is definitely not life threatening and I don’t want to waste Emergency Services time but it’s so damn annoying

Reporting Waste Crime (If you suspect illegal activity):
If you suspect the builder is burning commercial or industrial waste, it could be a waste crime. Contact the Environment Agency.
The Environment Agency's incident hotline is 0800 80 70 60.
Burning commercial or trade waste is illegal and can lead to prosecution and fines.
Not sure if this applies in NI, Environmental Health to for the smoke nuisance. Sorry it's horrible to live with that.

It’s a builder so assume he’s got correct licence etc

Get the hose pipe on it over the fence, sod that.

Is it beyond the reach of the arc of your garden hose? 😉

I called the fire brigade out for similar. The flames were ten ft high, they attended and put the fire out but made me feel like a drama llama and said it was a “controlled burn”. It wasn’t.

Anyway three months later he did it again and burnt 50 of my trees down, my garden office and two sheds. So yes I’d report if you think there’s a danger it could get out of control. It’s so hot it’s not safe to be having bonfires surely.

My neighbour was a builder and no he didn’t have the right licence. He was just avoiding paying tip fees.

Our idiot neighbour was a 'builder' who 'was allowed' to take rubbish away. Got prosecuted for fly-tipping and had his van seized. We laughed.

A few years ago there was a bonfire by a builder near us, not big but a lot of smoke blocking the main road. Phoned the fire brigade, who said "Not again - we dealt with him a few days ago!" They attended, put it out, and gave advise to not do it again.

You don’t need to ring 999, but you could find the number of your local fire station and ask for advice? Explain you are worried and leave it with them? If they decide to take a look that’s on them. Also, report to environmental health first the smoke problem. Burning rubbish is antisocial and shouldn’t be allowed.

Was any further action taken over this incident?

Never assume

Potentially a breach of the Clean Air Acts, but can't assume.
I would call the fire brigade and ask for advice - in this weather it could very easily spread via dry grass and other plants or fences to other properties. embers carried up from the fire could land and start small fires near by.

I thought it was a well known trick in NI to burn your commercial waste around the 12th to avoid prosecution cos it’s cultural init?

I read your thread at the time, how did everything work out?

That is so selfish and inconsiderate. Can you get your hose out and point it at the fire? I would if a neighbour’s builder did that. Some builders think they can do what they like.
My neighbour used to light a fire every Saturday afternoon to burn her household rubbish in a drum - it was often thick black smoke as she put plastic and all sorts in. Of course it coincided with washing usually being out on the line. She didn’t care so I decided neither did I and reported her to the council. They issued some sort of warning and the fires stopped.

still waiting to hear how much the insurance will cover. Very stressful. The report from the fire brigade says the fire started in my neighbours garden which is good. Ultimately I assume my insurance will go after his insurance.

If circs haven’t changed, phone the fire brigade for advice. What is a small fire can very easily become a massive one in hot, dry weather. Do it now!
best wishes

Has any action been taken to stop him lighting more fires?

@BeesUnicornPotaside from any local bye laws (of which there are many!) the usual guidelines are that you are only allowed to burn garden waste - so weeds, pruning, your own wood from your trees. I'd call the local fire station for advice, he shouldn't be burning site rubbish - I don't think there are exemptions for this?