Brighton bin fire being treated as deliberate by police

Large plumes of black smoke were visible all across Brighton and Hove after multiple bins caught fire in Whitehawk today (April 28).

It is believed the fire took hold at a Brighton and Hove City Council bin storage facility on Wilson Avenue in Whitehawk, but we are waiting for the council to confirm this.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) attended the blaze. They first received reports of the fire just after 1pm, with three fire engines sent to extinguish it.

They said that the fire involved “multiple wheelie bins”, and told residents to keep windows and doors closed.

The fire was visible across the city (Image: Supplied)

Follow our live coverage of the fire here: Live updates – fire at Brighton Whitehawk bin store | The Argus

It first appeared that the fire had broken out at the Veolia Environmental Services recycling centre, also on Wilson Avenue.

However, a spokesperson for Veolia said it was an unrelated council bin store nearby that had suffered the blaze.

The spokesperson added that the Veolia facility did close temporarily, following advice from East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, but that it has now reopened.

At around 3pm, ESFRS said that the fire had been put out, and that no injuries had been reported.

Wilson Avenue and Warren Road were both closed during the incident, but have since reopened.

Police say the fire is believed to be deliberate (Image: Supplied)

Now, Sussex Police says that the fire is being treated as deliberate, with witnesses or anyone with relevant information asked to make contact.

A spokesperson for Sussex Police said: “Emergency services were called to a report of a fire in Wilson Avenue, Brighton, shortly after 1pm on Tuesday, April 28.

“The fire has been extinguished, and no injuries have been reported.

“At this time, it is believed the fire was started deliberately. An investigation is ongoing with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

“Temporary road closures were in place at the junction of Wilson Avenue and Warren Road. These have now been lifted.

“Witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to contact Sussex Police online or call 101 quoting reference CAD 687 28/04