A fire caused by dangerous items being put inside a domestic recycling bin today caused significant disruption to users of Cambridge Airport.
On discovering the fire, the crew of the Greater Cambridge Shared Waste Service recycling lorry followed its usual safety procedures and was able to safely empty the material on Airport Way. No members of the crew were injured and there was no disruption to today’s bin collections due to the incident.
Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service were contacted and attended the scene to extinguish the blaze, after which council crews cleared away the debris. As a precautionary measure, the nearby Cambridge Airport was closed for a short period until the clear up process was complete.
Due to the scale of the fire it has not been possible to identify exactly what caused it, but the fire was explosive, so could have been caused by a gas canister, or crushed batteries placed incorrectly in the bin.
Greater Cambridge Shared Waste Service will send letters to properties in Romsey ward where the material could have originated, reminding them of the dangers of placing items incorrectly inside their blue, black or green bins.
Cllr Rosy Moore, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Environment, said: “Sadly, fires breaking out in our vehicles is becoming a common occurrence, often due to the incorrect disposal of batteries and products which contain them, like vapes.
“Bin lorries compact waste, and when batteries are crushed and damaged they can ignite. Our well-trained staff acted quickly to prevent harm to themselves and damage to the lorry, but this incident has impacted not only them but fire crews, airport staff and of course passengers.
“Batteries MUST be kept separate from other waste. They can be recycled safely at supermarkets and many other shops, and also for those living in a house, by placing them in a small bag on top of your wheelie bin lids. Other flammable items like gas canisters should also never be placed into bins. Take these to a Household Recycling Centre."
