BC Interior posted Apr 9, 2025 @ 06:00pm by Cheyanna Lorraine

100 cell phone batteries cause garbage truck to catch fire in the BC Interior

A garbage truck caught fire in a small community in the North Okanagan, which prompted a reminder about properly disposing of explosive materials.

On Tuesday, a garbage truck was doing its rounds in Enderby when it caught fire.

A post from the city said the fire was caused by approximately 100 cell phone batteries being tossed in the garbage.

When the truck began compacting the garbage, the batteries caught fire.

<who> Photo Credit: City of Enderby

Fortunately, no one was hurt and the garbage truck operator got help from people in the neighbourhood to remove the batteries from the vehicles.

The fire was extinguished before it could spread or do any significant damage, the city said.

Although no one was injured, the city asked residents to handle dangerous materials properly and responsibly.

“The placing of dangerous material for removal as garbage, such as explosive, volatile, or corrosive materials, dangerous chemicals, or any other material dangerous to the health and or safety of the garbage collection personnel is strictly prohibited and subject to tickets or prosecution,” the city said.

Under Enerby’s bylaws, disposing of such items in the garbage could result in a fine of up to $10,000 or a six month jail sentence.

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