SEVEN bins were targeted by a suspected arsonist in an early-hours spree.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue were forced to extinguish flames in wheelie bins across Brighton on Monday morning after they were set ablaze.

Firefighters were called to the following incidents:

  • At 03:00, the service attended two separate bin fires on St James’s Street, Brighton.  Firefighters from Preston Circus attended and used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fires.
  • At 03:01, the service attended a wheelie bin fire on High Street, Brighton. Firefighters from Roedean attended and used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.
  • At 03:04, the service attended a wheelie bin fire on Dorset Gardens, Brighton.  Firefighters from Preston Circus attended and used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.
  • At 03:14, the service attended a wheelie bin fire on St James Avenue, Brighton.  Firefighters from Roedean attended and used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.
  • At 03:18, the service attended a wheelie bin fire on Steine Street, Brighton.  Firefighters from Preston Circus attended and used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.
  • At 04:03, the service attended a wheelie bin fire on Ship Street, Brighton.  Firefighters from Roedean attended and used a hose reel jet to extinguish the fire.

A spokeswoman for service is reminding people that arson endangers lives and diverts valuable resources.

She said: “Arson and deliberate fires are a serious problem for the Fire Service, the Police and the Ambulance Service. They endanger lives and divert valuable resources.

“Arson is a criminal offence that can lead to loss of life and injury.  It can damage property and have a negative effect on the environment.  Arson often starts with a fascination for fire and progresses to lighting small fires but this can quickly escalate onto skips, cars, derelict properties and most disturbingly people's homes.

“In 2019, we attended 742 fires which were deliberately started.  We are working in partnership with Sussex Police, Crimestoppers, local authorities and neighbourhood watch schemes to reduce this figure.

“We are working hard to ensure that the county is a safe place to live, work and visit.”