By Kieran Webster,Ryan Carroll

Copyright glasgowlive

Three Glasgow bin lorries have caught fire over the last two weeks due to exploding “vape batteries”.

On September 14, a driver was forced to dump a load of rubbish in the middle of West Princes Street in the west end during one incident.

Another fire then broke out in the back of one of the new waste collection vehicles near Hillhead Secondary School on September 15. The driver had to quickly get a fire extinguisher from the school janitor while waiting for the fire service.

Then, a third incident was reported on Chamberlain Road on September 7 – and Chris Mitchell, convener at the GMB union, said vape and lithium batteries are likely the cause.

Speaking to the Daily Record, he said: “There is a potential catastrophe for anything to happen if this isn’t dealt with. One incident happened near a school and the other two we managed to dump on the street.

“We are working on tight streets with cars all around us. If a bin lorry goes up and catches fire, it’s a recipe for severe disaster.”

The three fires happened in brand new vehicles, which were only introduced four months ago to replace the 16-year-old fleet.

Chris added: “It’s vapes and batteries that are the issue, anything with lithium in them. People aren’t disposing of them properly.

“We have just managed to secure the funding for the 22 new lorries at £200,000 each and the compartment at the back, because it is new, it crushes everything. We believe that it is crushing these batteries and they are igniting. When you see three fires in the space of two weeks there is a serious problem here.”

Chris fears it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.

He is calling on authorities to launch a campaign which raises awareness on how to properly dispose of batteries and is set to write a letter to both the Scottish and UK Governments outlining his concerns.

“They need to look at how we dispose of things”, said Chris. “We’ve had lorries off the road for days because of fires and this has an impact on how we cover refuge collections across the city, which is already under pressure.

“Because there’s been three fires in two weeks, everyone is very sceptical now. We have major concerns.

“Someone is going to get hurt if nothing is done about this. The safety of the workers is the most important thing.”

Glasgow City Council bosses have said batteries should never be disposed of in a household bin.

A spokesperson said: “Batteries and other hazardous items going into household waste is a matter of great concern, both in Glasgow and throughout the waste industry in the UK as a whole.

“In recent years, there have been many fires and other incidents at waste facilities across the country following the incorrect disposal of hazardous items, such as batteries, vapes, pressurised cannisters and other electrical equipment.

“Residents should always recycle their hazardous waste at their local recycling centre. Household batteries can also be recycled in a wide range of places, such as supermarkets, retail outlets and other public buildings. Batteries should never be disposed of in a household bin.

“Putting batteries into household waste puts refuse collectors at risk but can also disrupt the wider waste management system. In the recent Glasgow incidents, staff followed the correct safety procedures and this helped to minimise the impact of the incidents. We will continue to monitor this issue very closely to keep our staff and facilities as safe as possible.”