A fire believed to have been caused by a discarded lithium-ion battery has disrupted bin collections for 6,000 properties in Fenland. The incident, which occurred on May 11th, led to four tonnes of rubbish being set ablaze, significantly impacting local waste management services.
The fire broke out as waste collection crews were operating on Elliott Road. The workers noticed smoke emanating from the rear of their lorry and promptly contacted emergency services. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue teams responded swiftly, managing to extinguish the flames before they could cause further damage. Nevertheless, the fire necessitated the closure of the waste transfer station in March for the remainder of the day.
Suspected Cause: Lithium-Ion Battery
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was triggered by a lithium-ion battery, inadvertently disposed of in a household waste bin. These batteries, commonly found in everyday items such as mobile phones, electric toothbrushes, e-scooters, and vapes, pose significant fire risks if damaged or improperly disposed of. When compressed or punctured, they can explode or catch fire rapidly, endangering both public safety and waste management operations.
Council’s Appeal for Safe Disposal
Local officials emphasized the importance of responsible disposal practices, urging residents to refrain from placing batteries, electrical items, or vapes into any household waste bins. Highlighting the ease with which such items can ignite and threaten the safety of waste management crews, officials urged the public to be vigilant.
Gratitude was also extended to the collection crew, firefighters, and staff at the waste transfer station for their prompt and effective response to the incident. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Rising Incidents of Battery-Related Fires
The incident in Fenland is part of a worrying trend across the UK. Material Focus, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the recycling and reusing of electrical goods, reports a significant rise in battery fires. The number of such incidents in bin lorries and waste sites has surged from 700 in 2022 to 1,200 over the past year.
Fire safety officials highlighted the dangers posed by improperly disposed of batteries, noting that they become particularly hazardous when compacted and damaged in household or recyclable waste. The swift action of firefighters in tackling the blaze was praised, and residents were urged to use appropriate recycling facilities for battery disposal.
Guidelines for Safe Battery Disposal
To mitigate the risk of similar incidents, residents are advised to take batteries to local recycling centres or utilise in-store collection bins for household batteries, available in many shops. Fenland District Council provides detailed information about recyclable items on their website and encourages the public to consult these resources to ensure proper waste disposal.
Recycling Initiatives in Cambridgeshire
In a bid to improve recycling practices, Cambridgeshire County Council has recently introduced vape recycling bins at its nine household recycling centres. This initiative aims to provide a safe disposal method for vapes and similar electronic devices containing lithium-ion batteries.
The recent lorry fire in Fenland underscores the critical need for public awareness and responsible disposal of batteries and electronic items. As the frequency of battery-related fires continues to rise, local councils and fire services are calling for increased vigilance and adherence to recycling guidelines to prevent such dangerous incidents.
For more information on recycling batteries and other electrical items, residents can visit the Recycle Your Electrics website or contact their local recycling centre. By taking these precautions, the community can help ensure the safety of waste collection crews and contribute to more effective waste management practices.
