People in Suffolk are being reminded to dispose of waste batteries properly following a huge fire which saw 50 tonnes of rubbish set alight. 

Firefighers from across the county were called to Haverhill waste transfer station on Friday, June 16 after the blaze broke out. 

While the precise cause of the fire is still to be established, FCC Environment – which manages recycling centres and and waste stations in Suffolk – believe it is likely to have been caused by a battery which managed to spark.

East Anglian Daily Times: The fire is believed to have been caused by a battery sparkThe fire is believed to have been caused by a battery spark (Image: Clare Fire Station)

A similar incident happened at a recycling facility in Great Blakenham in June 2022, when a battery was dumped among household waste.

All batteries should be disposed of either at recycling centres or in collection points at most large stores where they are sold.

Richard Smith, Suffolk County Council cabinet member for economic development, transport strategy and waste, said: “Batteries are every-day items we all take for granted but they need to be disposed of properly because if they end up in black bin bags they can cause fires as they are processed.

“The impact of any fire is felt across the entire waste journey as it means facilities can be taken out of action for a period for remedial works.

“Thankfully the fire at Haverhill was resolved quickly and with manageable disruption to operations, but this incident serves as a reminder to us all of the importance of disposing of batteries properly.”