NEW Forest District Council have warned of bin fires after a battery is believed to have set a bin bag alight. 

A crew of bin men were left surprised in Sway when a bin bag caught alight on July 12.

Although no one was harmed and it was quickly put out, NFDC has warned of the dangers of binning batteries after it was suspected that an electrical motor with a battery caused the fire. 

A spokesperson for NFDC said: "This morning in Sway, one of our refuse crews noticed a sack in their truck had caught fire.

"Thanks to the fast actions of the crew, they were able to get out of the truck quickly and the fire was put out. Luckily, no one was harmed.

"Batteries should never go in your black or clear sacks, it can cause real and dangerous consequences.

"If you need to throw away a battery or an item containing a battery, please check whether you can take it to your local tip (HWRC), or a shop or supermarket with a battery disposal point."

The council has said for further information on what can be recycled from home or elsewhere, visit its website. 

Refuse collection continued as normal after the incident.