A massive fire that tore through a recycling facility in Widnes, sending thick black smoke across Cheshire and Merseyside, was accidentally started by a damaged lithium-ion battery from a disposable vape that had been incorrectly disposed of, fire services have confirmed.
The blaze broke out at around 4.30pm on Monday, June 22, on Everite Road, rapidly engulfing a single-storey warehouse measuring approximately 50 metres by 50 metres. Emergency services declared a major incident as firefighters from Cheshire, Lancashire, and Greater Manchester battled the flames. At the peak of the response, 20 fire engines, a high-volume pump, and a foam tanker were deployed.
Fire Spread Rapidly Due to Strong Winds
According to Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS), the fire began when a damaged lithium-ion battery entered thermal runaway, generating intense heat that ignited cardboard within a pile of waste awaiting recycling. Driven by strong winds, the fire spread rapidly, resulting in multiple separate areas of the waste stockpile becoming involved. Initially, CFRS estimated that around 700 tonnes of waste cardboard were affected, but a subsequent assessment revealed that approximately 450 tonnes of waste from a total of around 550 tonnes stored within the building had been burned.
Firefighters were compelled to tackle the blaze from outside due to concerns that the structure could collapse. No injuries were reported, and all people at the site were accounted for.
Residents Advised to Keep Windows Shut
Local residents reported explosions and a vast plume of smoke visible for miles. Ash fell on nearby homes, including on Coronation Drive, and debris travelled as far as Aintree, where one resident posted on social media: "I thought a feather was floating down while in the garden. No, it's ash from the fire at the recycling centre in Widnes... I'm in Aintree." Residents living and working in the vicinity were advised to keep their windows and doors shut while crews worked to bring the blaze under control.
Witnesses reported hearing multiple explosions during the evening. An ECHO photographer at the scene heard numerous loud bangs, while another local resident said she and her partner initially became aware of the incident after hearing "small bangs" before observing smoke billowing into the sky. Architecture student Arwen Rose filmed the smoke from atop Liverpool's Royal Liver Building.
Fire Service Urges Proper Disposal of Vapes
A spokesperson for CFRS stated: "This incident highlights the importance of disposing of vapes and other lithium-ion battery-powered items correctly, as damaged batteries can pose a significant fire risk if placed in general waste or recycling." The fire service confirmed the blaze was accidentally triggered by the damaged battery, most likely from a disposable vape that had been thrown away improperly.
Residents across Merseyside reported witnessing the smoke plume from miles away, with photographs submitted from locations including West Derby, Page Moss, Bickerstaffe, and Runcorn. The fire serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of improper disposal of electronic waste.
