Warning as second bin lorry bursts into flames

A warning has been issued to people in Tyne and Wear over putting used batteries in their bin after another waste lorry burst into flames.

There have been a number of blazes in the area caused by carelessly discarded batteries in recent months, including at waste depots serving South Tyneside and Sunderland.

In the latest incident, fire crews had to be called to the back lane behind West Street, Whickham, Gateshead, on Tuesday after a blaze took hold on the refuse vehicle.

Workers were forced to tip burning waste onto the lane before calling emergency services who arrived at 11.15am.

It is understood no one was harmed.

A Gateshead Council spokesmansaidthatthecause of the blaze is not known but firefighters found a power tool battery and small batteries along with the paper, cardboard and aerosols in the load.

He warned that used batteries can be a fire hazard when mixed with paper and card.

He said: “Used batteries placed into general waste or recycling bins and mixed with paper, cardboard, plastic or other recyclable materials such as cardboard can pose a risk.

“When batteries are damaged they can become hot and ignite, potentially resulting in fire causing damage to premises and a risk to life.”

This is the second time in the space of weeks that a council bin lorry has caught fire.

Last month a recycling lorry caught fire on the A1 Western Bypass leading to significant traffic delays.

This incident sparked renewed concerns about the dangers of batteries and small electrical items being thrown into household rubbish and recycling.