THE latest in a spate of wheelie bin and rubbish fires in Canterbury nearly claimed its first fatality. Firefighters say a 51-year-old woman pulled to safety through the window of her blazing flat is lucky to be alive.

Now they are urging that the reckless setting light of household bins must stop before someone is killed.

They were called to the council flat in courtyard in New Ruttington Lane to find bins in a wooden compound ablaze just feet from the flat.

The flames had spread to the property which had become smoke-logged, trapping the tenant inside.

Firefighter Paul Donovan managed to pull her to safety through a back window after which she was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

But the fireman who led the operation, sub officer John Saynor said it was potentially a life-threatening incident.

He stressed: “We have had a spate of bin and rubbish fires near homes recently and we could have a tragedy on our hands if it continues.

“Setting light to these bins, which are often close to properties, is a very reckless and dangerous thing to do.”

Police are now investigating last Sunday's the incident as a suspected arson.

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