Burning trash can due to ashes - Culprit has to pay for fire department deployment - Man fined €1,700 after compost bin fire ignites from fireplace ash
A man in Wettenberg, Hessen, was ordered to pay €1,700 after causing a fire by dumping fireplace ash into his garden compost bin. The incident, which took place in December 2018, led to significant damage and a legal battle over responsibility for the emergency response costs.
The fire began when the plaintiff disposed of ash from his fireplace into a compost bin. Despite his claim that the ash was two days old, the court ruled that even cooled embers can smoulder for days and reignite when exposed to oxygen. The blaze quickly spread to nearby firewood, a neighbour’s hedge, and roller shutters, causing around €10,000 in damage.
Twelve volunteers from the local fire brigade rushed to extinguish the flames. After the incident, the municipality sent the man a bill for €1,700 to cover the cost of the fire service operation. He challenged the charge in court, arguing that the ash was no longer a risk. The Verwaltungsgericht Gießen dismissed his lawsuit, confirming that the fee was justified. The judges stated that the age of the ash did not change the fact that improper disposal had caused the fire. Their ruling reinforced that such negligence can lead to financial consequences, even if the fire was unintentional.
The decision sets a clear precedent: dumping fireplace ash in compost bins remains hazardous, regardless of how long it has cooled. The man must now cover both the fire brigade’s costs and the repairs for the damage caused. Local authorities have warned residents to dispose of ash safely to avoid similar incidents.
