The public has been warned to recycle batteries safely following a truck fire believed to have been caused by disposable vapes.
Crews were called to an incident along the Newtown bypass in Powys at 3.50pm on Friday.
Center and West Wales The Fire and Rescue Service said the incident involved a large goods vehicle containing general items recycling waste.
The service said the fire is believed to have been caused by vapors that were not disposed of correctly.
Several of them were found among the 13 tons of mixed recycling removed from the vehicle’s trailer after the fire was extinguished.
They appeared to have been crushed and damaged, which the service said caused the rest of the trash to catch fire.
The road was closed because the contents of the vehicle were spilling across the bypass.
Firefighters left the scene at 12:27 pm this Saturday.
Natural Resources Wales, Dyfed-Powys Police and Powys County Council were also present.
Research by the National Fire Chiefs Council and Recycle Your Electricals has found that the number of battery fires on rubbish lorries and waste sites in the UK has reached its highest level yet, with a 71% increase from 700 in 2022. to more than 1,200 in the last year.
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Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has warned about the risk of lithium-ion batteries if they are not recycled correctly.
They are hidden inside items such as laptops, cell phones, electric toothbrushes, vaporizers and headphones.
The service said battery fires can put lives at risk and cause “serious environmental and health risks.”
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