Lithium battery sparks fire in garbage truck prompting warning from Lakewood Fire Department
LAKEWOOD, NJ – Wednesday — A garbage truck was forced to dump its burning load on a township street after lithium-ion batteries tossed in the trash ignited mid-route, prompting a fresh warning from firefighters about the dangers of improper disposal.
Lakewood fire crews rushed to the scene earlier this week when smoke began pouring from a sanitation truck during a routine collection run. Once the vehicle unloaded its contents, firefighters discovered a fire had erupted among a pile of improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries. Crews were able to contain and extinguish the flames before any injuries or major damage occurred.
Officials say the batteries — commonly found in devices like e-bikes, laptops, phones, and power tools — pose a growing threat when not handled correctly. When crushed, punctured, or exposed to heat inside garbage compactors, lithium-ion batteries can spontaneously combust or explode.
Following the incident, Fire Chief Yahr issued a community alert urging residents to avoid placing batteries in household trash or recycling bins and instead bring them to authorized drop-off locations like the Ocean County Recycling Center. The fire department also advised residents to store old batteries in a cool, dry area away from flammable materials until they can be safely disposed of.
Improper disposal has become a rising concern for sanitation crews and emergency responders across the country, as waste fires linked to lithium-ion batteries continue to increase.
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Residents can contact the Ocean County Recycling Center at (732) 905-4457 or visit them at 601 New Hampshire Avenue for safe disposal options and guidelines.
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Key Points
- A fire broke out in a Lakewood garbage truck after lithium-ion batteries were tossed in the trash
- Firefighters extinguished the blaze after the truck dumped its smoking load
- Officials remind residents to never dispose of rechargeable batteries in household waste
A load of trash caught fire in Lakewood after batteries ignited in the compactor, sounding alarms over growing disposal risks.