Following an investigation into the incident, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service said it believes the battery had been placed incorrectly in either general waste or recycling before entering “thermal runway” – a chemical reaction that generates intense heat.
That heat is believed to have ignited cardboard awaiting recycling at the site, with strong winds then causing the blaze to spread rapidly across the facility.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue described the incident as “complex” and “resource-intensive”, with crews working for several days during the recent heatwave to bring the fire under control.
In an update issued this week, the service thanked firefighters involved in the response, as well as members of the local community for their patience during the disruption.
The fire service also used the update to warn of the risks posed by incorrectly disposed lithium-ion batteries, including disposable vapes.
It said such fires are preventable and urged householders and businesses to dispose of batteries separately, rather than placing them in general waste or mixed recycling streams.
Widnes recycling site fire
The original fire broke out on 22 June 2026, prompting Cheshire Fire and Rescue to declare a major incident as flames tore through hundreds of tonnes of baled waste cardboard.
Crews were first called to the site in the afternoon, with the incident escalating rapidly as the fire spread through a large stockpile stored inside a single-storey building.
At its peak, 20 fire engines were in attendance, supported by crews from Lancashire, Merseyside, North Wales and Greater Manchester.
Specialist resources including a high-reach extending turret, foam tanker and high-volume pumps were deployed to tackle the blaze, which involved around 450 tonnes of cardboard.
Firefighters were forced to tackle the incident externally amid concerns over the structural integrity of the building and the risk of collapse.
A significant smoke plume was visible across the surrounding area, with nearby residents and businesses advised to keep windows and doors shut.
No injuries were reported, and all persons on site were accounted for.
The major incident was stood down later that evening, although crews remained on site overnight and into the following days damping down hotspots and cooling debris.
These very issues will be at the heart of discussion at the Fire and Health & Safety Conference, taking place on 22 October 2026 – register your interest here.
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