Flames and thick smoke poured from a bin lorry in Shildon, County Durham, after discarded vapes and batteries caught fire in the back of the vehicle.
No one was injured, but the blaze prompted a warning from Durham County Council about the risks posed by battery-powered items when they are thrown in household waste.
Here's what to know
On the morning of Oct. 2, the lorry caught fire after vapes and batteries were put in household waste, according to The Northern Echo.
Images from the scene showed flames and thick smoke coming from the truck.
"Unfortunately, we've had another fire in one of our bin lorries in Shildon this morning that we are currently clearing," Durham County Council said, per the Echo.
Disposable vapes and many other everyday items contain lithium batteries. If those batteries are damaged, they can catch fire, creating a danger for crews and vehicles.
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What can be done?
Durham County Council urged residents not to put batteries and disposable vapes in rubbish or recycling bins.
Instead, the council said vapes and batteries can be placed alongside food waste caddies for collection if bagged separately, as the Echo reported.
County Durham residents also have other disposal options. The council said that vape and battery recycling points can be found at many supermarkets and community venues as well as at Household Waste Recycling Centres and dedicated collection points.
Where can I learn more?
These stories are about similar fires and waste problems.
• In the U.K., millions of banned vapes are still tossed weekly, and battery fires are on the rise.
• Experts warned that disposable vapes in landfills can ignite when damaged or crushed.
• In Ireland, a waste operator warned that common household items can spread fires in seconds.
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