Vape Sparks Blaze in Bin Lorry Fire

A bin lorry caught fire after a vape with a battery was thrown into household waste, Wokingham Borough Council has warned.

The quick-thinking crew spotted the blaze and made their way back to the depot, where firefighters tackled the fire. Fortunately, nobody was hurt.

"Imagine realising the bin lorry you're driving is on fire. Earlier this week, one of our waste collection crews had to deal with that."

"We believe a vape with a battery inside caused a fire in the vehicle. Fortunately, nobody was hurt."

"If it has a battery inside it, it shouldn't go in your bin, including vapes." Residents were urged to take used batteries and vapes to a suitable recycling point, including a re3 Recycling centre or participating retailers.

Lithium-ion batteries in vapes and other devices can catch fire if damaged or crushed and can spark blazes in collection vehicles and at recycling sites.

The council thanked the Biffa waste collection crew for acting quickly and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service for their response.

Katie French, Local Democracy Reporter