NSW Fire and Rescue crews extinguish the blaze that broke out on Monday morning. Photos: Kiama Municipal Council.
A garbage truck has been forced to dump its load in a Kiama carpark after a fire broke out in the vehicle’s compactor because of what is believed to have been an incorrectly discarded battery.
The incident occurred at 7 am on Monday (20 January) in Manning Street, with quick-thinking council workers driving to the pavilion carpark to safely dump the load.
NSW Fire and Rescue workers then managed and extinguished the blaze.
No one was injured in the incident.
Investigations are currently underway into the possible cause of the fire, but it is assumed it was likely the incorrect battery disposal.
Batteries, and products containing batteries, are not permitted to be disposed of in kerbside bins due to the risk of fires during the collection and recycling process.
Quick-thinking workers dumped the load in a nearby carpark.
According to Kiama Municipal Council, when batteries are disposed of incorrectly, they become hazardous waste that can leak toxic chemicals, contaminating groundwater and harming ecosystems. It says by recycling batteries, up to 95 per cent of their components can be recovered.
If no longer in use, household and vehicle batteries should be removed from the device and stored in a cool, dry place until they can be disposed of properly.
They can be dropped off at a Planet Ark recycling collection point or the community recycling centre at the Minnamurra Waste and Recycling Facility.
Lithium batteries, commonly found in phones, tablets, power banks, computers, toys, appliances, tools and mobility equipment, must be removed from their device, with the terminals taped with non-conductive tape before being disposed of in a dedicated bin at the recycling centre.
These batteries can be dangerous if damaged, and can burst violently.
Kiama Council staff will complete an incident report and debriefing on the fire.
A cleanup effort is underway for any debris and an appropriate disposal of the vehicle has been arranged.
Minor delays may occur to bin services in the Kiama LGA.
Loading ...
