A bin lorry caught fire in County Durham on Friday morning, prompting a warning from the local council about the dangers of disposing of batteries and vapes in household bins.
Durham County Council released footage of the fire inside a bin lorry in Shildon. The council said no injuries were reported among the crew, but noted that such incidents are becoming more frequent.
Council warns of rising fire incidents
In a statement, the council said: "Unfortunately, we've had another fire in one of our bin lorries in Shildon this morning that we are currently clearing. Thankfully there were no injuries to the crew, but these incidents are becoming more frequent."
The statement continued: "Please don’t put batteries or vapes in your rubbish or recycling bins. They contain lithium and other materials that can ignite when crushed inside our trucks."
How to dispose of batteries and vapes safely
The council also provided guidance on safe disposal. Residents can leave batteries and vapes alongside their food waste caddy, bagged separately for collection by crews. Alternatively, they can be taken to recycling pods at most supermarkets and community venues, or dropped off at any Household Waste Recycling Centre or WEEE community collection point.
