Huge rubbish bonfire in Southampton cancelled after fears of legal action

As reported in the Daily Echo, residents had vowed to blockade Regents Park Road and burn mountains of refuse in a bold protest about the build-up of rubbish across the city.

But, last night, the fire did not go ahead at the scheduled time of 10pm.

An anonymous text was sent from the organiser to all |residents who had previously contacted the secret organisers pledging their support.

It called off the plans after warnings from the city’s police, fire and council chiefs.

It read: “Hello all. Due to many residents dropping out of the bonfire, it will no longer be going ahead at this time.

“We need to do this in large numbers which, after a police warning notice and confiscation of fire extinguishers and fencing, only 39 known residents were still willing to continue.”

It defiantly ended with: “Hopefully, this fight will still continue.”

Yesterday, council, police and fire chiefs were in talks throughout the day discussing their action plan for the proposed blaze.

They had posted a leaflet through the residents’ doors the day before highlighting the “serious public safety implications” and warning, if they went ahead with their threats, they would be breaking the law.

Last night, a spokesman for Hampshire police said: “Any action like this to burn rubbish in a public place could directly endanger residents and cause criminal damage which, as normal, we would deal with appropriately and could lead to those responsible being arrested.”