The box of batteries ignited in the back of a Rotorua bin truck on Wednesday. Photo / SuppliedA fire inside a Rotorua rubbish truck this week has prompted renewed warnings about the dangers of discarding batteries in household waste, after firefighters traced the incident to a box of improperly disposed lithium batteries. Fire and Emergency said a single appliance from the Rotorua station was dispatched at 11.43am after receiving reports of a rubbish truck carrying a “smoking load”. Photo / Stephen ParkerWhen crushed or punctured during compaction inside a rubbish truck or at a transfer station, the batteries can short-circuit and ignite, sometimes explosively. A Fire and Emergency spokesperson reiterated that recycling was the safest option and warned against stockpiling discarded batteries at home.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 27, 2026 06:53 UTC