Fire Alert as Batteries Ignite Recycling Truck in Horsham
Chaos hit Horsham after batteries sparked a blaze inside a waste collection vehicle. The council has now urged residents to recycle smarter to avoid another fiery mess.
Swift Action Quells Recycling Truck Blaze
The council’s quick-thinking waste team doused the flames using fire extinguishers before heading back to Hop Oast depot to unload. West Sussex Fire & Rescue confirmed the fire was fully out, preventing a potential disaster.
Battery Lights to Blame for Fiery Mix-Up
Firefighters traced the fire to a set of battery-operated lights mixed with non-recyclable items. The entire 5-tonne load had to be scrapped after the blaze, adding insult to injury.
Council Warns: Don’t Bin Batteries Carelessly
Councillor Jay Mercer, Cabinet Member for Environmental Health, Recycling, and Waste, praised the waste team’s prompt response and stressed the dangers of tossing batteries into recycling bins. “Batteries can ignite fires when crushed in trucks,” Mercer said.
He urged locals to:
- Place loose batteries in a sealed bag on top of bins on collection day
- Use the council’s free collection service for small electronics
Failing to follow these steps risks more fiery incidents and wasted resources. Horsham residents are warned: recycle batteries safely or risk more smokescreens on the streets.
