A loud bang and flames erupting from a garbage truck in Townsville have been attributed to a discarded lithium-ion battery, authorities have confirmed.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning when the truck was collecting waste in the suburb of Kirwan. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion before seeing smoke and fire coming from the rear of the vehicle.
Fire crews were called to the scene and quickly extinguished the blaze, preventing it from spreading to nearby properties. No injuries were reported, and the truck driver managed to escape unharmed.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) said the fire was caused by a lithium-ion battery that had been improperly disposed of in the general waste. When the truck's compactor crushed the battery, it caused a thermal runaway, leading to the fire.
"This is a stark reminder of the dangers of disposing of batteries in household rubbish," a QFES spokesperson said. "Lithium-ion batteries can cause significant fires when damaged or crushed, posing a risk to waste workers and the community."
The incident has prompted renewed calls for residents to dispose of batteries responsibly. Batteries should be taken to designated recycling drop-off points, which are available at many supermarkets and council facilities.
Townsville City Council reminded residents that batteries, including those from mobile phones, laptops, and power tools, should never be placed in kerbside bins. The council offers free battery recycling at its waste management centres.
This is not the first such incident in Queensland. In recent years, there have been multiple reports of garbage truck fires linked to discarded batteries, leading to increased awareness campaigns.
Waste management companies have also invested in new technologies, such as thermal cameras, to detect hot spots in waste loads before they ignite.
The truck involved in the fire was taken out of service for repairs, and the waste collection route was temporarily suspended. Alternative arrangements were made for residents affected by the disruption.
Authorities are urging anyone who sees a battery fire or suspects a fire risk to call Triple Zero (000) immediately and not attempt to extinguish the fire themselves.
For safe disposal, residents can visit the council's website to find their nearest battery recycling point. Proper disposal not only prevents fires but also helps recover valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
