Third bin lorry fire in four months in North Warwickshire
North Warwickshire Council issue a warning over battery safety
Emergency services responded to a bin lorry fire on Lister Road, Atherstone, last week, with firefighters spending two hours bringing the blaze under control and ensuring public safety.
The incident marks the third North Warwickshire Borough Council refuse truck fire in just four months, highlighting the dangers of incorrectly disposed batteries and electrical items.
When crushed inside refuse vehicles, batteries can spark fires or explosions, putting crews, the public, and essential services at risk.
Bin lorries cost around £300,000 each, and hiring a temporary replacement can cost £1,000 a week.
Severe damage can even write off vehicles entirely, causing operational disruption and significant financial impact.
North Warwickshire Borough Council is urging residents to dispose of batteries and electrical items safely—never in general waste, recycling bins, or public litter bins.
Items should be taken to designated collection points, including participating shops or Lower House Farm Recycling Centre.
Councillor Margaret Bell, Chair of Community and Environment Board, said: “Incidents like this highlight just how dangerous it is to dispose of batteries and electrical items in your general waste.
"When crushed inside a bin lorry, batteries can easily ignite, putting our collection crews at serious risk and causing significant damage to our vehicles and disruption to our services.
"We cannot stress enough the importance of using the correct disposal methods. Please take batteries and electricals to designated collection points or your local recycling centre.
"Small actions from residents make a huge difference in keeping our crews safe and preventing incidents like this from happening again. ”