Burning rubbish was piled onto a road in an attempt to stop a fire spreading that had started in the back of a bin lorry in Swanage, Dorset.
Smoke was spotted around 7.45 am on Thursday 31st October 2024, as the Dorset Council bin lorry collected household refuse along Kings Road West, a residential road in the centre of town.
Fire crews get to work
A rubbish fire
“Refuse lorry was smoking”
Crews from Swanage and Wareham fire stations were called to the incident and part of the road was temporarily closed while the fire was dealt with.
Swanage Fire Station reported:
“This morning we were mobilised to a large vehicle fire along with Wareham Fire Station. On arrival the contents of a refuse lorry was smoking.
“Crews quickly got to work and extinguished the fire before much damage was done.”
Early wake up call for Kings Road West residents
The road was temporarily closed at the top of Kings Road West while the incident was dealt with
Huge pile of rubbish
The fire was put out by 8.38 am and while the huge pile of rubbish remained on the road for a short time, it had all been cleared away by 10.30 am.
While the cause of this fire is not yet known, typically, fires can start when batteries are disposed of in general household rubbish.
Dorset Council asks that household batteries, including AA, AAA, ‘button’ and rechargeable batteries are put out for kerbside collection in a small separate bag along with the other recycling bins.
Household refuse was removed from the back of the bin lorry and left in the road
However by 10.30 am the council had cleared up all the rubbish
Further information
- Request a recycling battery bag
