The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were called to deal with a bin fire at the Newkirkgate this afternoon at around 2:40pm on Saturday 9 April.
One eye witness, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that those in the area at the time of the incident did not seem bothered at all despite the fact that the area was engulfed with the smell of burning plastic.
They say that they noticed one appliance in attendance and around four firefighters who pulled the burning bin out and hosed it down.
The eye witness said they were surprised by the fact that everyone was unperturbed by the smoke and smell in the area.
They said: “No one seemed bothered by the fact there was a bin on fire.
“The whole of the Kirkgate stank of melting plastic.
“Four firefighters came and pulled a bin out and hosed it down.
“Then everyone just went about their business as if nothing had happened.
“It absolutely reeked of smoke and plastic but folk did not seem bothered by it all.”
In an image shared with Edinburgh Live, a firefighter can be seen tending to the fire at the entrance to the Newkirkgate at the foot of Leith Walk.
It is not yet known what caused the fire to break out in the communal bin and pollute the air in the Leith community.
The SFRS confirmed they were in attendance to deal with the incident.
A spokesperson for the SFRS said: “One appliance was in attendance at a bin fire at the Newkirkgate on Saturday afternoon.”
