Two collection operatives had a lucky escape when the 115,000 vehicle caught fire while driving in the Kirkheaton area last Wednesday.
 The burnt-out remains of the Castle Morpeth recycling vehicle that saw two collection staff making a lucky escape |
A rogue item in the recyclable material is being blamed for the accident, which completely gutted the vehicle.
The Northumberland borough has issued a plea to residents to watch what the place in their blue recycling bins.
Cllr Doug Phillips, executive member for the environment, said: “The two men on the wagon had a lucky escape. They spotted the smoke as they drove along and managed to park up in a layby and get out just in time, before the whole wagon caught fire.
“These vehicles cost around 115,000 to buy new and due to this one being nearly three years old, this blaze could cost Council Tax payers tens of thousands of pounds,” Cllr Phillips added.
Cause
The council believes the fire was caused by either hot ashes, a discarded cigarette or unused matches being placed inside arecycling containers. The Castle Morpeth scheme is supposed to collect just cardboard, cans and plastic bottles.
Cllr Phillips said: “On this occasion we have only lost a vehicle; it could have been far worse.”
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Castle Morpeth collects recycled materials from over 21,000 households and businesses in the borough. Along with a green waste scheme and the borough's bottle banks, the council recycled 34% of household waste last year.
Earlier this month, the council wrote to local businesses offering reductions in their trade waste collection charges if they took part in a recycling scheme.
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