Battery warning after crews tackle bin lorry fire

Firefighters have warned residents to dispose of batteries in the proper way after a bin lorry fire in Worksop.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service said about 25 firefighters were called to Clarence Road on Monday after the vehicle caught fire.

An investigation found the blaze was "believed to have been caused by a lithium-ion battery that was crushed during the collection process".

Bassetlaw District Council, which owns the lorry, urged residents to put items in the correct bins, with batteries to be taken to "proper recycling points".

The fire service said the attending crews used 16 sets of breathing apparatus, two hose reel jets and drag rakes to bring the blaze under control.

Station manager Matt Nash said residents needed to be careful when disposing of rubbish to prevent "dangerous fires happening in our communities".

He added: "We attend far too many incidents like this, and they are completely avoidable.

"Batteries, especially lithium-ion ones, can cause serious fires when damaged or crushed."

Darrell Pulk, cabinet member for neighbourhoods at Bassetlaw District Council, thanked fire crews for "their prompt actions" and said the authority deployed skips and street sweepers to remove debris at the scene.

He added: "I'd urge people to really think about what they are putting in their bins and please dispose of things with batteries like vapes for example at a proper recycling point.

"We were actually collecting dry recycling - there should have been nothing with batteries in any of these bins."

Follow BBC Nottingham on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.