Kenilworth tip evacuated after incorrectly disposed of battery triggers fire
A tip in Kenilworth was evacuated over the weekend after a battery was incorrectly disposed of and triggered a fire.
On Sunday (October 25), staff at the Cherry Orchard centre noticed smoke and flames coming from one of the waste skips.
It was discovered that a member of the public had thrown a rechargeable lithium-ion battery in a black bag along with other household waste.
The site was evacuated and the centre closed to the public as Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service attended to extinguish the fire, which had quickly spread to a neighbouring skip containing cardboard.
The Cherry Orchard site was disrupted for around an hour and thirty minutes and Warwickshire County Council has apologised to residents and customers whose visit to the centre was impacted.
Warwickshire County Council praised the prompt actions of staff on the site and the fire and rescue service after the small fire at the Cherry Orchard site.
Councillor Darren Cheshire, Warwickshire County Council portfolio holder for environment, heritage and culture, said: “This incident at Cherry Orchard serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of incorrectly disposing of batteries and other hazardous items.
“We are incredibly grateful to staff at the centre and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service for their swift and effective response.
“It's crucial that residents understand the correct way to dispose of items like batteries, vapes, and electricals to prevent future fires and ensure the safety of our recycling centre staff and the wider community.
“We urge everyone to utilise the dedicated facilities provided at our Household Waste Recycling Centres or through other designated collection points."