Urgent warning after disposable BBQ starts blaze in recycling lorry

Residents in Stratford-on-Avon District are being warned of the dangers disposable barbecues can make following a fire in one of the recycling collection vehicles this week.

The recycling crew were carrying out their rounds in King Johns Road, Kineton when the lorry caught fire on Wednesday, 7 June - prompting renewed concerns about the dangers of disposable barbecues.

It appears that a disposable barbecue had been put into a blue-lidded recycling bin, which then ignited and caused a fire in the back of the vehicle. Over 4 tonnes of recycling then had to be tipped in the road where the firefighters extinguished it.

Fortunately, the crew were unhurt, and the vehicle was not damaged but the situation could have been so much worse.

Cllr Lorraine Grocott, Environmental and Neighbourhood Services Portfolio Holder at Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: "This incident is extremely concerning and put a number of people at risk.

"I would like to take this opportunity to remind District residents of the importance of disposing of waste properly and advise people to follow the instructions on the disposable barbecues of how you can safely dispose of them."

Disposable barbecues and hot coals can take up to 48 hours to fully cool so the public need to ensure they are left for that period or are cooled by soaking them in water. Once cold, they can be disposed of in the general waste.

For more information please visit: Our Recycling Collection | Stratford-on-Avon District Council