Fire started after two tonnes of batteries dumped in Worksop

'Exploding' lithium-ion batteries discarded in a remote area

Author: Gavin RutterPublished 13th Mar 2025

Fire crews have extinguished a blaze started after two tonnes of lithium-ion batteries were dumped in Nottinghamshire.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service say they were discarded in a remote area off Windmill Lane, in Worksop, just after 10.15am yesterday.

The incident, which resulted from the batteries 'exploding', was the first outing for the force's new Polaris misting unit, introduced seven months ago following the rise in outdoor and rural fires.

Group Manager for the north of the county, Tom Staples, said: “I’m delighted that the Polaris and L200 vehicles at Tuxford fire station are getting used, especially for the type of incidents we have previously struggled to access with our traditional fire engines.

“I am excited to announce that more vehicles are to be expected into Service soon – these will be based at Warsop, East Leake and Eastwood fire stations – to further improve our ability to fight rural fires and access other hard to reach incident types.

“The investment into our on-call sections is a welcomed improvement to their ability to respond to incidents, not only for the benefit of their local community, but the whole of Nottinghamshire too.”

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