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pingoparkNow I like a good fire as much as the next person, but our neighbour really went a bit too far, even by my standards.
He's had a huge pile of rubbish, old furniture etc., in his garden for a while, and he obviously got fed up with the rats it was attracting, so he decided to set fire to it. It burned rather well. I was getting a bit concerned when the flames got to about 5m, especially as there are two old sheds full of rubbish at the bottom of his garden. Then next doorbut one's hedge and fence caught fire. My neighbour seemed to have prepared himself for any problems with a small bucket of water that he had to refill from his kitchen, which he was doing without any sense of urgency. By this time the fence (not his) was well alight and the trees in the next garden were catching fire. At this point I decided it was time to call 999. The fire brigade turned up within a couple of minutes, though it turned out that one of the neighbours on the other side had also called them, and she may not have hesitated as long as me.
My neighbour seemed very surprised when the fire brigade turned up. They were trying to explain to him that he was a complete prat, but I don't think any of that sunk in. As far as I can tell he couldn't see any problem with what had happened and thought it was a big fuss about nothing. Though I'm not sure how he was intending to put out next door but one's trees with his bucket. I'd like to think he'll get done for gross negligence or something, but I doubt anything will happen to him. I just hope he doesn't start making a habit of this sort of thing when there's not so many people aroundas today.
He's had a huge pile of rubbish, old furniture etc., in his garden for a while, and he obviously got fed up with the rats it was attracting, so he decided to set fire to it. It burned rather well. I was getting a bit concerned when the flames got to about 5m, especially as there are two old sheds full of rubbish at the bottom of his garden. Then next doorbut one's hedge and fence caught fire. My neighbour seemed to have prepared himself for any problems with a small bucket of water that he had to refill from his kitchen, which he was doing without any sense of urgency. By this time the fence (not his) was well alight and the trees in the next garden were catching fire. At this point I decided it was time to call 999. The fire brigade turned up within a couple of minutes, though it turned out that one of the neighbours on the other side had also called them, and she may not have hesitated as long as me.
My neighbour seemed very surprised when the fire brigade turned up. They were trying to explain to him that he was a complete prat, but I don't think any of that sunk in. As far as I can tell he couldn't see any problem with what had happened and thought it was a big fuss about nothing. Though I'm not sure how he was intending to put out next door but one's trees with his bucket. I'd like to think he'll get done for gross negligence or something, but I doubt anything will happen to him. I just hope he doesn't start making a habit of this sort of thing when there's not so many people aroundas today.
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Date: 2007-04-11 02:57 pm (UTC)The fire brigade were only interested in putting out the fire and making sure there was nothing dangerous in his sheds.
I suppose the neighbour on the other side could sue him, as he's the only one who's had any real damage. But that sort of thing is probably more hassle than it's worth. I think various people's washing is going to stink quite bit, but I didn't see any that was actually on fire. I can still smell the smoke around the flat though.
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Date: 2007-04-11 03:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-11 04:14 pm (UTC)Perhaps I should recommend they get Pete in next time they want to set fire to things. At least he knows what he's doing.
On the plus side, I've met some neighbours I'd never spoken to before. And we all had something in common, i.e. the worry that our houses were going to burn down imminently, so we were getting on really well.
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Date: 2007-04-11 03:32 pm (UTC)Definitely a good job you, or other people, were around though.
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Date: 2007-04-11 04:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-11 07:56 pm (UTC)