A SPATE of bin fires in Leigh and Atherton could be putting other lives at risk, firefighters say.

Crews from Leigh and Atherton were each called to two bin fires last night and in the early hours of this morning.

Firefighters at Atherton station say they have put out bin blazes at the Hayward House and Beeches flat blocks, off Rosedale Avenue, Atherton, 15 times in the last 18 months.

They were called to the flats at 11.30pm to reports a large communal metal bin had been set alight, melting the plastic lid, and again find the same thing had happened again at 6.30am.

Crew manager Paul Gibbons said: “Fire engines are being tied up at these incidents regularly, meaning we cannot go to another incident if we are required elsewhere.

“Police are investigating these incidents.”

Crews from Leigh were called to a wheelie bin fire in Isherwood Street in Leigh at 2.15am on this morning before attending another blaze that melted a bin in Lime Avenue at 3.30am.

Watch manager Craig Cubbins said: “Bin fires create a fierce blaze with strong toxic fumes, so crews have to be present to put them out.

“This can potentially divert us away from other life risk incidents.

“People need to remember to bring their bins back in as soon as possible after they have been collected.”