The community is being reminded for the second time in a week about the importance of proper battery disposal, this time following a fire at the Lethbridge Waste and Recycling Centre’s Material Recovery Facility on Thursday.
According to Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services officials, around 5:15 p.m. Thursday, crews responded to the material recovery facility. However, the fire was contained before firefighters arrived on scene due to the quick activation of the facility’s sprinkler system.
“Crews encountered a smoke-filled environment and worked to ensure the fire was fully extinguished,” reads a release from LFES. “This incident highlights the effectiveness of automatic sprinkler suppression systems in preventing major loss.”
According to officials, no one was injured in the fire, and an investigation into the cause is still underway. However, early in the investigation, it is reported that the fire may have involved an improperly disposed battery.
Earlier in the week, as part of the kick-off to Fire Prevention, James Nicholls, collection manager with the City of Lethbridge’s Waste and Environment department, reminded residents to recycle batteries responsibly.
In the reminder, Nicholls explained, batteries can ignite and explode if they are discarded in curbside waste carts and pose a significant risk to Waste and Environment employees. In an effort to prevent these fires, the city has launched a curbside battery recycling pilot program running from November 18 to 28.
