Battery fires could happen anywhere

Residents could be risking their lives over household batteries which aren’t being disposed of properly, the council says after the latest fire at a collection station.

Household batteries discarded in rubbish and recycling bags have been blamed for a number of incidents at transfer stations in Deeping and Boston – and South Holland District Council is warning residents that the risk of fires are just as likely to happen in homes if batteries aren’t disposed of properly.

Last month, a bag of rubbish collected from South Holland started to smoke and catch fire at a transfer station in Deeping after batteries were found among non-recyclable material.

In Lincolnshire, discarded batteries found in recycling bags has meant transfer stations have had to be closed following fires.

Coun Roger Gambba-Jones, Portfolio Holder for Place at South Holland District Council, wants to remind residents of the dangers of discarded batteries and to dispose of them properly.

“These incidents highlight that a fire is just as likely to start in someone’s home as a result of discarded batteries.

“Please, please heed the warning – dispose of batteries safely. No-one wants to wake up to the news of a loss of life or a house fire as a result of batteries being thrown away in rubbish or recycling bags.”

Sellers of batteries in large amounts – which include most supermarkets – are required by law to provide battery collection points for safe recycling.

Batteries can also be disposed of safely at the household waste recycling centre on West Marsh Road in Spalding.