Release date: 2 October 2025
Firefighters have issued a warning after attending a fire in a recycling lorry which was caused by a discarded battery.
Crews responded to reports of a smoking lorry at Lancing Business Park on Monday (29 September). On arrival firefighters extinguished the waste fire using a hose reel and used a thermal imaging camera to confirm there were no further signs of fire inside the vehicle.
The remains of a battery hidden inside a cardboard box was found among the waste and is believed to have started the fire.
Crew Manager Mark Upperton said: “Batteries should never be thrown away in general waste or recycling bins. They can become damaged from crushing during the collection and sorting process, causing paper, plastics, and other materials to catch alight.
“What may start as a small fire can quickly spread and become much larger inside a collection vehicle or at a waste transfer site. This puts staff at risk, disrupts services and can result in significant damage. It also puts pressure on our ability to attend other emergencies where lives could be at risk.”
“If you have old batteries to get rid of, please take them to your local recycling centre, or to a dedicated collection point which you can find in many shops and supermarkets that sell batteries.”
Find out more about disposing of batteries and electrical items safely.
