FIREFIGHTERS were called to a blaze in a gas unit outside a busy supermarket yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.

It appeared that a cigarette had been dropped on the floor and caught fire to leaves on the surrounding ground before spreading to a build up of foliage and rubbish underneath the large green gas box outside Sainsbury’s in Everard Close, St Albans.

When both crews from St Albans Fire Station arrived at the scene at around 1.30pm the fire had practically been put out by staff at the store and the firefighters cooled it down further to prevent the blaze from restarting, and left after around 20 minutes.

Watch commander Trevor Ray said the incident highlighted the danger of not correctly disposing of cigarettes.