FEARS have been raised over piles of flytipping hotspots being torched on the run-up to Bonfire Night. 

The GMB has warned that unwanted furniture tossed onto the city's streets could give firebugs an opportunity to set it alight. 

Glasgow City Council, has, however, assured that a dedicated task force will be established prior to Guy Fawkes Night where teams will work to blitz areas of concern.

Glasgow Times:

Chris Mitchell, the union's branch convener for cleansing staff, said: “This is the first year that there has been charges for bulk uplifts on the run-up to Bonfire Night. 

“We already know that people can’t afford to pay for uplifts, so they are chucking their waste onto the streets, backcourts and side lanes. 

“As a result of this, there are flytipping hotspots in every area in the city. They present as a perfect opportunity to be set alight and we are concerned that if they are not cleared before Guy Fawkes Night, our fire service will be faced with chaos on November 5."

Glasgow Times:

Labour’s Councillor Paul Carey shared the union's fears and outlined the importance of the council's rapid response team.

He said: "I am deeply worried about November 5 approaching. 

“In recent years, it has been a real challenge for the emergency services to keep up with the number of fires across the city taking place.

“In the past, I organised for the council to pick up piles of wood that were stacked up and ready to use to start a bonfire.

“The council must realise at this time of the year the priority is to remove anything that could be of use to build a fire. If they don’t, the aftermath could cause the taxpayers more than what it would to remove it.”

Despite the recently reintroduced £35 bulk uplift charge, the rapid response team will work as normal to prevent deliberate fires in communities across Glasgow.

Locals have been urged to report any build-up of materials to the local authority on the run-up to November 5. 

A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “We work closely with the police and fire service to keep the city safe in the lead up to and during Bonfire Night.

“A key task for the council is to collect and remove fly-tipped material that can be used to build a dangerous bonfire as quickly as possible

“In the run-up to Bonfire Night we aim to provide a rapid response to messages from concerned residents and we also have staff working in communities who can provide information on where material is being accumulated.

“Residents can report any build-up of material for bonfires or flying tipping that could be used for bonfire  through the council website, via the MyGlasgow phone app or on the MyGlasgow social media channels.”