Huge mound of rubbish dumped outside Wickford homes after bin lorry catches fire

-Credit: (Image: Gavin Callaghan)
-Credit: (Image: Gavin Callaghan)


A huge pile of rubbish was left dumped outside outside residential properties in Wickford after a waste collection truck caught fire. The rubbish, most of which was bagged, was left on the road due to a fire within the truck.

Fire crews were called to the scene on Frier Gardens in Wickford and extinguished the fire within the truck within 30 minutes. The waste was left on the road as crews were forced to empty the lorry and wait for a secondary vehicle to arrive.

Cllr Gavin Callaghan (Lab), the leader of Basildon Council, praised the refuse workers for the "great job" they carried out. He said they closely followed procedures and kept people safe.

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He posted on Facebook: "Huge thanks to our refuse collectors in Wickford today for quickly clearing up after a fire broke out in the refuse truck. When this happens the crews have to immediately empty the lorry and then wait for a secondary vehicle to arrive to dispose of the rubbish. They did a great job, followed the procedure to the letter and everyone is safe."

A spokesperson for Essex County Fire and Rescue Service said: "Firefighters were called to Frier Gardens, Wickford at 10.27am on Monday morning. On arrival crews confirmed that there was a fire in a dustbin lorry. Firefighters extinguished this by 10.52am."