Warning as the waste battery causes a smoke scare in the Coalville garbage truck

Waste collectors in Leicestershire had a lucky escape when a used vacuum cleaner battery caught fire in the back of their lorry. The incident unfolded yesterday (Thursday July 18) as bin men from Hugglescote, near Coalville, were doing their rounds and saw smoke coming from the vehicle.

The garbagemen quickly traced the source of the smoke to a vacuum cleaner that had been improperly disposed of in a black bin. The incident prompted council chiefs to urge residents to dispose of their batteries responsibly.

Paul Sanders, head of community services at North West Leicestershire District Council, praised the quick-thinking team. He said: “Thanks to the quick reactions of our crew who spotted the smoking waste, the fire was not given the chance to spread. Fortunately, no one was injured and our garbage truck was not damaged.”

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Eyewitness Glenn Guest, 31, saw the aftermath of the incident. He said: “I was coming back from the gym and noticed a rubbish lorry pulled up on the side of Bardon Road and another van in front of it. I think most people know that it’s a really bad idea to trash them, esp. when it can inadvertently endanger people just doing their job.”

Following the incident, NWLDC’s Mr Sanders urged residents to dispose of batteries properly. In a statement, he said: “Please do not put any type of battery in the trash or recycling bin.

“Instead, you can safely recycle your batteries by placing them in a lidded jar or bin next to your recycling bins for our crews to collect. Alternatively, you can take them to one of our recycling and household waste sites – or you’ll find battery collection points in many local shops where they can be safely disposed of.”

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