A lithium battery discarded in a household bin sparked a fire that completely destroyed a bin lorry in North Warwickshire, leaving the council deeply concerned about safety risks to its workers. The incident occurred during an early morning waste collection in a rural area, prompting authorities to issue a stern warning against disposing of batteries and similar items in general waste bins.
Councillor Margaret Bell, chair of the community and environment board, expressed her grave concern over the unsafe disposal practices. “This incident highlights a serious safety threat to our crews and emergency responders,” she said. “We ask residents not to place batteries or vapes in any of our bins. Fortunately, no injuries occurred, but protecting the safety of our staff and community remains our priority.”
The bin lorry suffered irreparable damage from the blaze and was taken out of service. Replacing the vehicle will cost approximately £250,000, a significant expense for the council.
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A council spokesperson explained the circumstances: “Our team encountered a fire caused by a lithium battery during routine waste collection. It was quickly extinguished, but the damage was severe. We strongly encourage residents to dispose of batteries and battery-powered items responsibly.”
The council advises saving batteries to be taken to local shops or recycling centers, or dropping off small electrical items at designated household recycling centers. Proper disposal helps prevent dangerous fires and keeps waste collection crews safe.