Residents 'feel ignored and unsafe' over unofficial bonfire

THE council, the police and the fire service have had to get involved over the sheer volume of a bonfire in a Valleys park.

- ANTHONY LEWIS Local democracy reporter

The bonfire site in Mount Pleasant Park, Porth

The huge mound of clutter, which includes items of furniture and other paraphernalia, at Mount Pleasant Park in Porth is a bone of contention in the area.

While the November 5 bonfire has become popular over the years, others say it's getting out of hand - and it's led the local authority to warn those dumping on the bonfire against holding their own unofficial event.

A Rhondda Cynon Taf council spokesperson said: “We do not support unofficial bonfires. What might seem like fun can quickly turn into a seriously dangerous situation.

“Over the years we have uncovered many dangerous items in unofficial bonfires, including tyres, mattresses and sofas, which produce toxic fumes - and even half-filled gas canisters which pose a risk of explosion.