Three gas cylinders were dumped in a fire in a playing field in Brighton in an incident that was said to have put lives at risk.
The propane cylinders were left on a bonfire in Carden Avenue, Patcham, late on Sunday evening (21 August).
Firefighters from Brighton were shocked by what they found, Station Manager Graham Gray said.
He said that the “lethal combination” had put the lives of firefighters and the public in danger.
The crew from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service called on Sussex Police to help keep people who were in the area away from the scene.
Mr Gray said: “Crews last night attended a fire in the open at the playing fields at the bottom of Carden Avenue.
“On arrival they identified a bonfire close to a tree on the field.
Horrified
“As they approached it they were horrified to identify at least three liquid petroleum gas cylinders involved in the fire.
“At this point there were still members of the public in the area which immediately needed to be removed to a point of safety.
“At any moment one of these cylinders could have exploded causing significant harm to anybody in close proximity with the potential of killing either a firefighter or member of the public.
“This mindless act is being dealt with very seriously by the fire service.”
Crews tackled the blaze until 12.30am yesterday (Monday 22 August).
Brighton and Hove City Council has been informed about the fly-tipping incident.
A council spokesman said: “Fly-tipping ruins neighbourhoods and is totally unacceptable.
“This incident is particularly dangerous as it put the lives of firefighters, residents and other people at risk.
“We will work with local residents and the police to identify who fly-tipped these cylinders to take appropriate action and also prosecute anyone who we catch illegally disposing of rubbish.”
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
