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Businesses warned of bin fire hazardLatrobe City's Municipal Fire Prevention Officer Lance King has warned businesses throughout Latrobe City to clean up external storage areas around skip bins and back entrances to shops following a spate of bin fires in Traralgon. By Latrobe Shire Council - 19th March 2004 - Back to News Mr King said Latrobe City, the Country Fire Authority and local police had embarked on a program aimed at raising awareness amongst local businesses to the risks of bin fires.
"A number of businesses are putting their own properties as well as the properties of neighbouring businesses at risk from fire," Mr King said.
"For example, information supplied by the Traralgon Fire Brigade shows that there have been over twenty rubbish-related fires in the CBD over the last year. To help prevent further incidences, we are asking all business owners to minimise opportunities for arsonists," Mr King explained.
"Some businesses have implemented procedures to protect their properties against possible damage caused by fire, however, many continue to ignore the danger by overloading bins and piling further rubbish against building structures," Mr King said.
Mr King added that Latrobe City had contacted local bin suppliers requesting that they work with their customers to help reduce the fire risk over the weekends, when the majority of these fires occur, by either locking the bins at the end of trading on Fridays or by having the bins emptied on a Thursday or Friday totally removing any fire hazard.
"Police are currently stepping up patrols in commercial areas to deter further occurrences happening, but businesses still need to take a pro-active approach in protecting property from fire by reducing the risks associated with waste," Mr King concluded.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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