Residents are being reminded of the importance of disposing used batteries safely following a fire at the Cordon’s Farm waste transfer station in Braintree on Monday 24 March 2025.
The fire broke out amongst 35 tonnes of recycling that had been collected, and once cleared up, could no longer be recycled.
The waste transfer station takes waste material collected locally and bulks it for onward reprocessing.
It is believed that the cause of the fire was a lithium-ion battery, as when a fire starts in piles of waste it is usually caused by a battery that has managed to spark.
Essex County Fire and Rescue Service attended the incident, with firefighters at the scene ensuring that the fire had been completely extinguished.
Cllr Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Transformation, the Environment and Customer Services, and Deputy Leader at Braintree District Council, said: “It is always worrying when we hear of a fire incident in the district and we would like to thank Essex County Fire and Rescue Service for their swift action in controlling the fire and providing quick, useful instructions to local residents nearby on how they can stay safe. It is believed the fire was most likely caused by a lithium-ion battery which can be extremely hazardous when not disposed of properly. This incident serves as a reminder to us all of the importance of taking extra care when disposing of batteries.”
Watch Manager Darren Hockley at Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, said: "A fire investigation has been carried out and we believe the cause was most likely a lithium-ion battery which had been disposed of incorrectly.
"I'd like to stress the importance of disposing of your lithium ion batteries properly, not in a skip or with domestic household waste. Always check with your local authority for suitable battery recycling arrangements in your area."
Batteries can easily be recycled at any recycling centre in Essex or in collection points at battery selling retailers and supermarkets.
Details on how to find your nearest electrical recycling point can also be found on our website.