Sydney sidewalk heavy garbage catches fire
A police officer used a fire extinguisher to douse the flames
A pile of televisions, used furniture and other items discarded from nearby rental units erupted in flames on a Sydney sidewalk Thursday morning.
The Cape Breton Regional Municipality is in the midst of its annual heavy garbage pick-up, when homeowners place larger household items in front of their homes for removal.
At 495 Townsend St., the pile burst into flames around 11 a.m.
Melinda Matthews, who lives in an apartment nearby, said she panicked. But, when she saw the fire, she said she filled her big lobster pot with water.
"We threw a bunch of water out on it, and then a big flame came out from the back of the couch and obviously I had to call the fire department to come and put it out."
A police unit arrived at the scene before the fire department.
An officer used a fire extinguisher to douse the flames.
Heavy garbage has been of concern to fire departments around CBRM this spring. The larger trash is an easy target for would-be arsonists.
Fire departments have said they also worry about the close proximity to homes.
Matthews had the same fear this morning.
"I was panicking that the wind could change course and our home would have been burned."
So far, there is no word on the cause.