A lithium ion battery sparked a fire that damaged a garbage truck in Olathe, Kansas, according to a city spokesperson.

The incident serves as a stark reminder not to dispose of items like rechargeable electronics in the trash, officials warn.

Risks of Improper Disposal

Grant Tarr, Supervisor at Olathe’s Household Hazardous Waste Drop-off, emphasized the dangers of throwing certain items into the trash. He highlighted lithium batteries as particularly risky due to the potential for thermal runaway.

Tarr advised against discarding items such as power tools, computer batteries, key fobs, and hearing aids, all of which can ignite fires when disposed of improperly.

Fire Department Response

Captain Mike Hall of the Olathe Fire Department described the challenging process of extinguishing the trash fire caused by the lithium ion battery. The strategy involved directing the driver to dump the load near a fire hydrant but away from populated areas and buildings.

Although the debris has been mostly cleared, remnants of multi-colored sludge serve as a lingering reminder of the incident.

Safety Precautions

Hall emphasized the importance of recognizing warning signs from rechargeable batteries, such as unusual odors, heat, or discoloration. He advised promptly discontinuing use of any battery exhibiting these signs and ensuring proper disposal.

Salvaging the Trash Truck

Fortunately, the quick actions of the driver prevented the garbage truck from being a complete loss, according to the Olathe spokesperson.

For more information on proper disposal of lithium ion batteries, residents can refer to resources provided by the city of Olathe and Jackson County.

Download The Local News App for more updates on local news and safety tips like this one.

Source