Improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries spark garbage truck fire in Warren County

PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. (Warren County) — Three improperly discarded lithium-ion batteries ignited a fire inside a garbage truck Thursday morning in Phillipsburg, prompting a safety warning from local officials.

Warren Chemical Engine Company said the department was alerted at approximately 10:25 a.m. Feb. 12 by Phillipsburg Department of Public Works employees who reported a truck fire near Cedar Alley and Jefferson Street.

Officials determined the fire was burning inside the body of the garbage truck and was caused by three lithium batteries that had been thrown away in a resident’s household trash.

“This is only one of a thousand reasons not to throw away lithium ion batteries in with household garbage,” the department wrote in a Facebook post.

Fire officials noted that while lithium-ion batteries are generally stable during everyday use, they can become volatile if crushed or damaged — conditions that commonly occur in garbage trucks.

“While these batteries are stable during everyday use, they become extremely volatile when crushed, please DO NOT dispose of any type of rechargeable batteries with your household trash!” the department said.

Authorities credited the quick response of three DPW workers on the truck with preventing a more serious incident.