Hot, stinky and flaming detritus

West Manatee Fire Rescue firefighters use a hose May 5 to extinguish a pile of burning garbage dumped alongside the beach end of 75th Street in Holmes Beach. The fire started when someone dumped hot charcoal into a dumpster, which was then dumped into the Waste Management collection vehicle — and emptied onto the side of the road after the WM truck driver noticed the fire, according to city code compliance supervisor JT Thomas. City staff assisted WastePro with a tractor and WM hauled away the detritus. Islander Photo: Courtesy JT Thomas