Wagontown Fire Company Extinguished Dumpster Fire Linked to Lithium-Ion Battery

Wagontown, PA — October 8 — The Wagontown Fire Company received a call about a fire in a dumpster located in the 100 block of Jacob’s Way after their team had completed a visit to Kings Highway Elementary School.

Engine, Tanker, Traffic and Tac 35 units arrived at the scene and managed the fire. The fire was traced back to a lithium-ion battery that had been improperly disposed of in the dumpster.

This incident took place during Fire Prevention Week, a time when fire safety education emphasized the importance of battery safety. Lithium-ion batteries are commonly found in many daily-use items such as phones, laptops, power tools, and other rechargeable devices.

It is important not to throw lithium-ion batteries into regular household trash. If a battery is damaged, it can catch fire during garbage collection, transportation, or processing. Instead, these batteries should be taken to a designated battery recycling or hazardous waste disposal site.

The response to this incident reinforced the necessity of correct battery disposal, especially as the use of rechargeable devices continues to rise. Even small batteries can pose a fire risk if they are not disposed of properly.

The incident on October 8 was a reminder for residents to review local guidelines for battery disposal before throwing them away. Proper handling and recycling of batteries can help prevent fires related to waste bins and collection equipment.