Quick thinking refuse collectors averted disaster after spotting something on fire in the back of the bin wagon yesterday (Thursday, 5 June).
The crew, working for Knowsley Council and collecting residents’ general waste bins, spotted smoke whilst on their rounds in Grossmont Road in Southdene, Kirkby.
Immediately they followed the training advice they’ve been given, emptying out the smouldering waste onto the road, where fire crews attended to put out the flames.
Colleagues from the council’s Street Scene Team were then able to collect up the pile of waste from the back of the wagon, leaving the lorry crew to continue on their rounds – meaning not a single bin was missed as a result of the earlier drama.
The cause of the fire was identified to be a Lithium-Ion battery, which must have been within one of the bins emptied at an earlier stage in the day. It’s a stark reminder of the reasons why residents are asked never to dispose of batteries in their general waste, as they do pose a fire risk. Instead, batteries should be safely disposed of at collection points which can be found in most major supermarkets, and at household waste recycling centres.
Small electrical items, such as remotes or phones, can also contain ‘hidden batteries’ which can start fires when crushed or damaged inside bins or recycling lorries
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said: “Well done to the quick thinking crew in Kirkby who spotted the signs of a fire and did exactly as they’d been trained to do.
“It must have been quite a sight for anyone looking on and wondering what was happening, but this was absolutely the right action for them to take. It allowed the fire service to deal with the fire easily and ensured that collections continued without disruption. A big thank you to them, and to our street scene team who attended quickly to clear the waste once the fire was out.
“It does remind us very clearly of the reasons why batteries – or small electricals containing batteries, must never go in the bin. Always take them to the collection points in shops or at the household waste recycling centre, so they can be disposed of safely.”
Here are more things to remember when disposing of batteries and information about how to dispose of batteries safely.