Batteries placed in black bin cause fire in Greater Cambridge bin lorry - but driver’s quick thinking prevents flames engulfing vehicle

A fire broke out in the back of a bin lorry in the north of Cambridge this morning (Thursday, October 6) because a householder had put batteries in their black wheelie bin.

Passing police officers called firefighters to the scene on Cambridge Road, between King’s Hedges Road and the A14.

The waste had to be removed quickly from the vehicle.

A spokesperson for the Greater Cambridge Shared Waste Service told the Cambridge Independent: “The quick actions of the driver in decanting the waste saved the flames from engulfing the vehicle. The Cambridge City Council grab-lorry came to clean-up the waste - 8-tonnes in total - that was decanted onto the road.

“Greater Cambridge Shared Waste operatives then pressure-washed the road and path.”

The waste service, which serves Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire, reminded householders that batteries should not be put in wheelie bins as there is a danger they can split and cause a fire when mixed and compacted with other waste or recycling in the back of a collection lorry.

Any portable household batteries - such AA, C, D, button, laptop and Li-ion batteries - ready for disposal should be put inside a small plastic bag, which should be attached to the handle of the blue recycling bin for kerbside collection.

There are also collection points at all major retailers that sell batteries, such as supermarkets and electrical shops.

Bode Esan, head of Greater Cambridge Shared Waste, said: “We’re grateful to Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service and Cambridgeshire police for their quick response to this fire.

“I’m pleased that nobody was hurt but this is a reminder about why it is so important batteries aren’t put inside wheelie bins. They can cause fires like this in our collection vehicles.

“Used batteries should instead be put in a clear plastic bag which can be tied to the handle of your blue bin, if disposed of at home instead of battery collection points.

“Even if they don’t cause a fire in one of our vehicles, which can put it out of action for some time and disrupt our collections, batteries put inside wheelie bins will end-up in landfill.

“Once there, they will leak out toxic chemicals which can be harmful to people and wildlife. I’d also encourage residents to consider buying rechargeable batteries as modern ones hold their charge much better than was previously the case and can be charged more quickly.”

Greater Cambridge Shared Waste, a partnership between South Cambridgeshire District and Cambridge City Councils, collects recycling and rubbish from around 127,000 households.