Don't help fire starters

Photo: Darren Handschuh

Officials with the Safe Community Unit are urging businesses not to leave piles or cardboard or pallets next to their businesses.

They are not only unsightly, but they are a fire waiting to happen.

Officials with the Safe Community Unit are urging businesses not to leave piles or cardboard or pallets next to their businesses.

Rachel Zubick, with the SCU, said there have been several pallet fires over the past few weeks and leaving a pile of debris is just inviting trouble.

“There was a series of them in different places throughout the city, but predominantly in what we would consider the BIA (business improvement area) area,” said Zubick.

“What we have seen is people are leaving out pallets and cardboard and those are excellent fuel,” she said, adding none of the suspicious fires have been too bad, so far.

Zubick recommends businesses secure all pallets and cardboard away from their buildings.

“If people can take away and secure those items then there is less chance of having an unfortunate incident.

Zubick said it looks unsightly, it does make a business look untidy and understandably it does happen, but things should be secured.

“We have noticed there is a little bit more left around, but it would great to see they are put away properly so we don't have a situation to deal with,” said Zubick.

“We've had pallet fires on and off over many years but it doesn't take much to thwart it.”

Castanet has reached out to Vernon Fire Rescue Services for comment.