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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Jacob Farr

Edinburgh resident terrified after overflowing bin set alight outside bedroom

A Gorgie resident has been angered after a bin outside of their bedroom window has been allowed to overflow just one week after it was engulfed in flames.

Eilidh Montgomery, who spoke to Edinburgh Live this week about being awoken by an explosion last Sunday night on Wardlaw Street, has said that they fear for their safety.

Their uncle was killed in a flat fire in the past and Eilidh says that they are “scared” the same could happen to them.

READ MORE: Edinburgh street swarmed by police as men with 'weapons' tried to get into flat

The concerned resident has said that they have still “not got over the sound of the bin” exploding last weekend and calls on Edinburgh City Council to ensure that the bin is emptied as soon as possible.

Eilidh says that the bins are not emptied regularly but that the problem is made worse by businesses and random cars and vans dumping rubbish at the site.

They said: “Frankly I’m p***** off. It is one of the main gripes I have about this area, the bins are just left - it was like that before Covid so they can’t use that as an excuse now!

“The bins fill up pretty quickly because of the number of flats but businesses on Gorgie Road also dump their stuff, and I’ve also seen cars and vans stop and drop off crap like tables, broken windows, old showers and even mattresses.

“I’m worried the next time there is a fire it may be worse I’m actually seriously thinking about having to rearrange my bedroom - at the moment the bed is by the window but I’m afraid that if the bin outside my flat went up and set fire to the cars on the street, then my windows are going to get smashed.

“If I’m asleep I’ll get the window right across my head.

“My uncle was killed in a flat fire and it’s the thing that scares me the most - I think I’ve still not got over the sound of the bin going up last week.”

Last week the Scottish Fire and Rescue service were called to an incident where a bin on Wardlaw Street had been set on fire by what was suspected to be a lit cigarette end.

The explosion woke up residents and sparked fear amongst those staying on the street.

A spokesperson for the council said that the waste management team have been made aware of the issue and will look to clear the site.

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