A fire erupted in the back of a bin lorry in Rosewell, Midlothian, yesterday, likely caused by a battery, gas canister, or disposable vape damaged during collection. Waste crews heard a loud bang after emptying a blue bin, then saw smoke billowing from the vehicle.
Emergency response and safety warning
Council workers abandoned their round and emergency services rushed to the scene. Midlothian Council issued a safety reminder on Facebook, stating: “Please don't put batteries, vapes or gas canisters in your bins.” The council added that the crew acted quickly and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service brought the situation under control. No one was hurt.
Potential causes and risks
The exact source of the fire was not established, but it may have been caused by a battery, gas canister, or disposable vape damaged during collection. The council warned: “When those items are crushed inside collection vehicles, they can ignite suddenly, causing fires that put collection crews, residents, vehicles and nearby property at risk.”
Similar incident in Aberdeen
This incident follows a woman suffering burns after a portable battery exploded at Cineworld in Aberdeen's Union Square on July 4. Staff extinguished the fire before emergency services arrived, and the woman was treated for minor injuries.
