Discarded battery starts fire in back of bin lorry

A road in East Sussex was blocked on Tuesday morning after a discarded battery caught fire in the back of a bin lorry.

The lorry was collecting recycling in Dorothy Avenue, Peacehaven, when the blaze happened at about 08.45 BST.

Resident Mandie Fairhall said she heard a "massive noise of breaking glass" before spotting the truck's contents on the road a few minutes later.

Lewes District Council said the fire in the rear of the vehicle started due to a battery igniting when it was crushed.

The council said the rubbish was dumped on the road as requested by East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS), adding that across the UK, battery fires had increased by 71% since 2022.

"Batteries, and electrical items containing batteries, should be bagged up and taken to a dedicated recycling point," the spokesperson said.

Ms Fairhall said the road was blocked for about an hour while the rubbish was cleared.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue said two fire engines attended.

It said the fire was accidental and there were no reported injuries.

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