Battery warning after near-miss bin lorry fire in Edinburgh

The City of Edinburgh Council has warned against putting devices like vapes into household waste after bin crews narrowly avoided a fire.

An operative spotted smouldering rubbish in general waste that had been collected from the Polwarth area of the city at the end of last month.

The crew had to spill the waste out on the street where the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) were able to extinguish it quickly.

A series of fires linked to goods containing lithium batteries have impacted Scotland’s refuse services this year.

Transport and environment convener Stephen Jenkinson said: “This incident is an example of why residents must be vigilant in making sure batteries are disposed of correctly, so this doesn’t happen again.

“We’ve had several other incidents like this in the past and it’s important we highlight the potentially dangerous consequences that incorrect disposal of batteries can have for residents, the environment, and our colleagues.”