Fires break out in bin collection trucks in Wealden after battery explosions

The mobile phone's battery exploded in amongst the rubbish, which caused a fire in the bin collection truck SUS-200625-155749001

Wealden District Council (WDC) said common household batteries caused two separate bin collection truck fires in the area after sparks ignited the surrounding rubbish.

In one incident, a mobile phone battery exploded and caught fire, according to WDC.

A WDC spokesperson said “Thankfully no-one was hurt in either event, but there was significant service disruption to refuse and recycling collections.”

The spokesperson said batteries and small electrical items of any kind pose a fire risk if placed in amongst rubbish and recycling. The risk is also much higher in hot weather.

“To help us prevent future fires, please place them in a separate bag on top of either your rubbish or recycling bin for collection. If you can remove batteries from items first please do so,” the spokesperson said.

The council urged people to take any larger electrical items which don’t fit into a carrier bag to a Household Waste and Recycling Site.

The spokesperson said, “Our crews were very lucky this time and avoided serious injury. With your help, we can continue to keep both you and our refuse workers safe, and our services running to schedule.”

For more information, visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk/environment/rubbishandrecycling

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