A nine-foot mountain of rubbish overrun with cat-sized rats is blocking off a fire exit for a block of flats.
The hill-sized pile of bin bags has residents in Stanmore, London, fearing for their safety.
Harrow Council say the area is private property, but has used money from fines to clear the area within the last month, MyLondon reports.
Images and footage taken from behind the row of shops shows dead rodents lying between the stuffed bin liners that have been dashed there.
One local resident, Martin Arcsty, 34, told MyLondon: “You can never use these bins. They always stink and if you try to open them a rat will get you. The bins are used by all the shops around here people just come and fly-tip their rubbish.
“It sounds strange but they’re literally stealing our bin space. We then have to put bin bags on the floor and rats, honestly the size of cats, just take over.”
Residents are becoming concerned of the risk the rubbish block poses if a fire were to break out.
In a local community group, over a dozen people shared their anger about the state of the bin situation on Parnell Way.
Mark Brooker, said to the local community group: “Those bad ones (bins) have been untouchable for years and in some ways I don't blame the residents for their reluctance to go down there and lift the lid. At one point they were nine foot high with bin bags.
“(Rats leap out.. ) so they just chuck their waste in the general direction from the walkway. No cameras. No comeback . I've watched this happen.”
In July, the property was deemed safe following a fire assessment. Pest control have also been called out to manage the infestation.
But residents claim neither of these attempts have helped.
A Harrow Council spokesperson said: “This particular road is unadopted highway. The area the bins are being placed is on private land, which is owned by one individual who allows the others to place their bins on his land.
"The bins are not secured and it appears that there is an issue with fly-tipping in the area, unfortunately, some of this is being caused by the residents. However, as the bins are not secure, they may be being utilised by persons other than the residents.
“Enforcement action has been taken in relation to fly-tipping and the fines paid have been used to pay for a clean of the area just last month.
“We are exploring options in relation to creating a secure bin store in the area, on council land, which should help resolve the issue as the bins will be secured and only available to access by local residents. We will then be able to confirm if the size of the bins is adequate for the number of residents utilising them.”
