Wells residents are being warned not to throw gas canisters into kerbside recycling after a fire at a recycling facility came dangerously close to causing serious damage.

Somerset Council and SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, which handles the county's waste collections, say there have been almost 1,500 gas canisters put into blue recycling bags in the past six months – and the numbers are rising with summer barbecues and camping trips.

Last week's fire, caused by a canister, was put out before it spread. "It could have burnt down the facility," said SUEZ Contract Director Matthew Canning.

The Council's lead member for transport and waste, Cllr Richard Wilkins, said: "We've already had four fires in a month. It's great people want to recycle, but they must not put canisters in their bins."

Residents are asked to take any small gas canisters to a Somerset recycling site and speak to a member of staff. More information can be found at www.somerset.gov.uk/waste.