BOSSES at Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service and waste disposal company Suez have urged the public not to dispose of batteries and electronic products such as vapes in household waste.

It follows a blaze at the Alnwick Household Waste Disposal Centre in January. The flames were brought under control by fire crews, but not before the wall was scorched and a skylight damaged.

The fire service warned that fires where batteries are the primary fuel source are difficult to extinguish and unpredictable. Damage to batteries causes it to enter a state known as “thermal runaway” which can quickly get out of hand.

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Speaking on the fire in January, Suez’s site manager Ian Horsley said: “There’s a good guess that it was caused by an electronic device. It could have been a vape, a mobile phone or a laptop.

“It was something that had been put in a black bag, and then it got squashed or crushed due to the work on site. Within minutes it goes up.

“It could quite easily also happen in the back of a vehicle. It’s really important to raise awareness around the disposal of batteries.”

Batteries, including those from laptops and mobile phones, should be recycled at dedicated battery collection points. These can be found at most supermarkets or recycling centres.

Similarly, vapes can be disposed of in vape disposal bins or returned to the retailer.

Northumberland firefighter Victoria Redhead explained the difficulties of battling a battery fire.

She said: “Lithium-ion batteries, such as those found in e-bikes or scooters, disposable vapes, can potentially be quite volatile and can unexpectedly burst into flame if mistreated or faulty.

"It is crucial for the public to understand these risks and take appropriate precautions to prevent accidents, especially with regards to proper disposal.

“We urge that people ensure they use manufacturer-approved chargers; don’t leave devices charging unattended, especially overnight; store batteries in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and flammable materials; and dispose of their batteries correctly at designated recycling centres.”