Urban solid wastes in the form of scrap tyre, waste plastic and waste paper, were pyrolyzed in an externally heated fixed bed reactor. The condensed liquids were analyzed for their properties as fuels and compared with petroleum-derived products. The properties were physical properties, higher heating value, elemental (CHNOS) analysis and chemical composition using Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results showed that the pyrolysis of urban solid wastes may be a potential source of liquid hydrocarbon fuel. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.