Two separate battery fires in Hampshire waste collections
The incidents happened in Beaulieu and Cosham on Thursday (4th January)
Hampshire firefighters have issued another warning about putting batteries in your bin.
Two separate fires broke out in household waste collections in Beaulieu and Cosham on Thursday morning (4th January).
The first happened shortly before 8.00am, when the blaze broke out within a New Forest District Council bin lorry on Beaulieu High Street.
The refuse was removed from the vehicle, allowing the crews to put out the fire, which had sparked from the battery of an electrical device.
Less than an hour later, Cosham crews were called to a waste depot after a lithium-ion battery caught alight, with the resulting fire spreading across a five-tonne pile of household recycling.
The bin crew quickly emptied the pile out onto their depot yard, before firefighters were able to remove the battery, and submerge it in water.
The damaged battery continues to react violently after water has been applied, giving off toxic fumes.
In 2022 there were more than 700 fires in waste lorries or at recycling centres across the UK, caused by damaged batteries which had been carelessly discarded.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service Assistant Director for Community Safety, Jason Avery said:
“When disposing of batteries we’d ask that you follow the advice on your local council’s website and check online to find your nearest dedicated battery and electrical recycling points.”