A battery fire in one of Rugby Borough Council’s recycling vehicles has been deemed a ‘serious incident’ by a council officer.
The event took place two weeks ago in Wolston, with a council statement emphasising that the fire was ‘completely preventable’.
To ensure the fire didn’t spread, crews were required to make an emergency stop and eject the load of the vehicle at a bus stop.
It has been confirmed that a battery had caused the blaze, with the local authority’s statement containing an urgent reminder to residents to never dispose of batteries and vapes in household rubbish or recycling bins.
To uphold safety standards for both the staff and the public, the council has instructed residents to throw away items containing batteries at the correct recycling points, which can be found at locations including supermarkets or local household waste recycling centre.
Claire Owen, Assistant Director for Operations and Traded Services at Rugby Borough Council, said: ‘This was a serious incident that could have had much worse consequences. I want to thank our crews for their quick thinking, which helped keep everyone safe.
‘Fires caused by batteries and vapes are becoming more common, but they are completely avoidable. Something as small as a discarded battery can put our crews, residents and the public at risk.’
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Photo: © Roberto Sorin.
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