The flames coming from the bin in Cromwell Road Pic: Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service
A bin was left melted and a garage damaged during a fire in Ribbleton.
Firefighters have warned against burning confidential waste.
Two fire crews from Preston were called to reports of flames coming from the bin in Cromwell Road.
They arrived to find confidential waste had been burnt and put in a wheelie bin.
A spokesman said the fire had then spread to other contents in the bin and then to the garage next to the bin.
A thermal imaging camera was used during the incident at 8.46am on Sunday (1 May) to put out the fire.