Home evacuated after wheelie bin fire

HOMEOWNERS were escorted from their property in the early hours of the morning after a wheelie bin outside their home caught fire.

The bin was between two properties on Newton Street, Clifton, and a discarded cigarette is thought to have caused the blaze, said a South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue spokeswoman.

Firefighters had to wake the homeowners up at 1am and ventilate their property, she said.

The neighbouring home was unoccupied.

Three fire crews from Rotherham, Aston and Maltby attended the scene and left at 2.25am.

The incident is still under investigation but the spokeswoman said it was believed to have been accidental.

Firefighters were also called to a deliberate wheelie bin fire on Thorogate, Rawmarsh, at 9pm.

Dearne station was at the scene for 20 minutes.

Arsonists struck again on Outgang Lane, Dinnington where a skip was set alight at 10.20pm.

Aston station brought the fire under control within 30 minutes.