Battery recycling warning after fires in waste in Devon

Alarms went off when batteries were crushed and caught fire in council equipment

Two fires caused by dumped batteries have prompted a warning from a Devon council asking people to dispose of them correctly.

Mid Devon Council said the blazes both took place on 25 September after batteries were crushed with waste.

One saw a fire in the back of a waste collection vehicle in Bradninch, and the other in one of its depots.

It said it was a "a stark reminder of the importance of responsible recycling".

Officials said the fire in the waste vehicle was spotted after "a large amount of smoke" started "billowing out".

A battery had been "disposed of in a black waste bin rather than recycled correctly".

The second fire, in a depot in Willand, started while staff were working on piles of cardboard.

A bale of cardboard was removed after smoke was seen coming from the top of the baler, with crushed batteries found to be the cause.

The council said: "Had this not been noticed immediately, it may have resulted in a major fire, causing extensive damage to property and putting lives at risk."

It added: "These incidents underline the critical importance of proper battery disposal... [they] can pose a severe fire hazard when disposed of incorrectly."

The council said general household batteries, except lithium-ion ones, could be recycled in its kerbside collection.

It added: "When in doubt, consider dropping off batteries at designated recycling centres or collection points."