The incorrect disposal of lithium batteries is suspected as the cause of the fire at Wagga’s Gregadoo Waste Management Centre. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
The Rural Fire Service has been called to the Gregadoo Waste Management Centre (GWMC) to battle a fire likely caused by a lithium battery.
A neighbour close to the centre called on the RFS in the early hours of Thursday morning (15 January) to contain a blaze that reignited from a smaller fire the day prior.
NSW Rural Fire Service District Coordinator Riverina Zone Scott Conlan said three brigades responded to the call.
“We have knocked the fire down, and will continue to work with councils throughout the day, treating that fire and what caused the fire,” he said.
“At the moment, the exact cause is unknown, but we suspect it’s the incorrect disposal of particularly lithium-type batteries and products.
“Those products end up in landfill, and when they get crushed or damaged, they burst freely into fire, and we suspect that that is the cause of this particular fire.”
Mr Conlan said lithium batteries could burn for hours, leading to fires that could last weeks.
“The amount of time and effort that firefighters put in, not only from RFS, but also from Fire and Rescue New South Wales, is extensive. We’ve been here since 4 am this morning, and we’ll be here for quite some time,” he said.
“We want to put across that by simply disposing of these products correctly, it can save a lot of time and effort and, of course, money.”
Lithium batteries are found in most electric devices, including phones, vapes, drills and electric scooters. Photo: Jarryd Rowley.
Mr Conlan said it was important for those close to the area to note that it was a waste fire and that they should keep windows and doors closed.
GWMC Resource Recovery Facilities Manager Andrea Baldwin said that more could be done across the broader Wagga area to educate the public as to how to dispose of batteries properly and the harm they could cause if they weren’t.
“At this time of year, when people are doing those household clean-outs, getting rid of those old items, it’s coming out here, and it is impacting our operations,” she said.
“Lithium batteries are a real concern for us, and there’s no real state programs around the collection of those at this time.
“So that is something that is on the radar from a state perspective, and obviously, council will support a program that does separate the lithium batteries.
“At the moment, we’re collecting household batteries and other items that have batteries, but there is no specific lithium battery program at the moment.”
Ms Baldwin thanked the swift response from RFS firefighters.
“Their response has been fantastic,” she said. “They’ve looked, they’ve actually been on site a few times over the last month. So we have had a few occurrences where fires have occurred here, not only in the cell, but also in the green waste area and mulch piles.
“That’s just due to the excessive heat conditions, which I’m sure everyone can appreciate, and they’ve been extremely responsive.
“We have a very collaborative partnership with them, and that works really well for both parties.”
