A recycling collection crew was forced to empty an entire vehicle load into the street after a fire was caused by a solar-powered garden light.
The incident happened last week when Nottingham city recycling crew team members noticed smoke coming from the back of their collection vehicle.
To prevent a much more serious vehicle fire, the crew emptied the load into the street before Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service arrived and safely extinguished the fire.
The cause was later identified as a solar garden light which had been incorrectly placed in a recycling bin.
The incident has prompted a fresh warning about the dangers of putting electrical items, battery-powered products and items containing lithium batteries in household waste or recycling bins.
Many everyday items contain lithium batteries, including small products which residents may not immediately think of as electrical waste.
When waste and recycling is compacted inside collection vehicles, batteries can be crushed or damaged. This can cause them to ignite, creating a serious fire risk for crews, vehicles and nearby property.
Residents are being urged not to place electrical items or battery-powered products in household bins or recycling bins.
Instead, they should be taken to a dedicated recycling point, household waste recycling centre, or other approved collection point for safe disposal.
The warning follows other recent fire safety messages during the warm weather, with fire crews reminding residents that everyday items can become dangerous if they are not disposed of or stored properly.
