Crawley: West Sussex Fire and Rescue issue warning from e-scooter fire

28th May 2023

An abandoned e-scooter burst into flames and burned a bin lorry after it
was thrown into a household bin.

Crews from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFRS) responded to the
fire in Crawley on Wednesday, May 24, which started in the back of a refuse
collection lorry.

The e-scooter’s lithium-ion battery ignited inside the refuse lorry after
having been thrown away in a household waste bin.

Upon arrival the crews extinguished the fire and left the electric scooter
submerged in water at Crawley recycling centre to prevent it reigniting.

In the wake of the incident, firefighters are urging residents to dispose
of lithium-ion batteries safely.

“All types of batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, pose a serious
risk when thrown away in general waste or recycling bins, as this incident
clearly shows,” said Christopher Barker, watch manager at Crawley Fire
Station.

“Never put batteries in your household bins. They can become damaged from
crushing during the collection and sorting process, causing paper,
plastics, and other materials to catch alight.

“Many shops and supermarkets have designated collection points where you
can recycle small batteries, or alternatively you can take them to your
local recycling centre.”

WSFRS’s blue watch crew have been visiting waste disposal sites across the
county to educate people on the safe disposal of items containing
lithium-ion batteries.

<https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/23552610.crawley-west-sussex-fire-rescue-issue-warning-e-scooter-fire/>

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