Lithium battery warning following bin lorry fire

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Deakin Road, Chell Heath, just after 8am on Thursday (26 June)

Author: Olivia DaviesPublished 28th Jun 2025

Crews have tackled a fire sparked by lithium batteries in a bin lorry in Stoke-on-Trent.

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service are again reminding members of the public that batteries should never be put in normal household waste.

They must be taken to recycling centres and put in specific battery recycling boxes.

Emergency services were called to Deakin Road, Chell Heath, just after 8am on Thursday (26 June) after a report of smoke coming from a bin lorry.

When the fire service arrived, waste from the vehicle had been emptied onto the road.

Crews extinguished the fire.

No injuries were reported.

Station manager, Ant Ball, said: “This incident involved lithium batteries that had been incorrectly discarded in general domestic waste.

“This poses a significant risk as lithium batteries are highly combustible and can cause fires when damaged.

“When disposing of lithium, or other types of batteries, do not place them in domestic refuse bins. Instead, they should be taken to a designated local recycling centre where they can be handled and disposed of safely.”

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