By Callum Ludwig
Upper Yarra residents may have witnessed smoke in the area following a fire incident that unfurled in the town centre.
A CFA spokesperson confirmed crews responded to a garbage truck fire on Warburton Highway in Yarra Junction at around 9.51am on Thursday 3 October.
“Two units from Hillcrest and Wesburn responded. An advice message was issued for smoke in the area,” they said.
“The incident was deemed under control at around 10.12am and deemed safe at around 10.39am.”
The incident came only a day after the Narre Warren CFA responded to two garbage truck fires in one morning on Wednesday 2 October.
These fires are being investigated, but the brigade took the opportunity on their Facebook page to note the rise in fires in garbage trucks caused by discarded batteries. The movement of garbage within the truck can damage batteries, causing sparks which can cause fires.
Other garbage truck fires locally have occurred in Upwey in July this year and in Seville in May 2023.
Drop off points for batteries in the Upper Yarra, instead of household waste, include the Woolworths stores in Yarra Junction and Seville, Aldi in Seville and Vinnies in Warburton. Generally, battery drop off points can be found at Aldi, Battery world, Big W, Bunnings, Coles, The Good Guys and Woolworths. Visit the B-cycle website to find the nearest convenient drop off point for all types of batteries at bcycle.com.au/drop-off.
Small household batteries (household, camera, laptop, power tools) can also be disposed of through E-waste collection services at waste transfer stations including those in Wesburn, Montrose, Coldstream and Lysterfield which service the Yarra Ranges.
Some tips for the storage and disposal of batteries:
Cover the ends of used batteries with duct tape or clear sticky tape to prevent sparking and reduce fire risk.
Store them in a glass container that is not airtight.
Avoid storing them in metal containers or with other metal items.
Keep them in a cool, dry place away from heat sources.
Ensure they are out of reach of children and pets.
