Newham refuse worker rushed to hospital after explosion

The clip, taken from a camera on a bin lorry, shows a pair of refuse workers hooking up a communal bin to the rear of the vehicle to be emptied. 

The large black bin is tipped upside down as usual, with one of the workers supervising. 

Something appears to need checking, and the man can be seen stepping towards the vehicle to press something as an orange flashing light goes off. 

Just seconds later, a huge cloud of smoke suddenly surrounds the rear end of the vehicle and the refuse worker can be seen clutching his head. 

Fragments of rubbish and waste can be seen in the smoke.

As the camera clears, the bin can be seen destroyed with the entire base blown to pieces. 

The source of the explosion was discovered to be an empty gas bottle that had ignited inside the bin as it was being emptied into the lorry, Newham Council said.

The bottom of the bin was completely destroyed (Image: Newham Council) In light of the footage, the authority has issued a stark reminder to households in the borough about the dangers of incorrectly disposing of certain items. 

Vapes, electrical items, batteries, and gas canisters and bottles all have the potential to cause fires and combust if thrown into regular household waste or recycling bins, the council warns.

Newham deputy mayor Cllr Sarah Ruiz said: "The recent explosion in one of our waste collection vehicles, which resulted in a member of our crew being rushed to the hospital with dizziness and hearing issues, is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by improperly disposed dangerous items.

A second binman was came to see what had happened as his colleague crouched clutching his head (Image: Newham Council) READ MORE: Former Wetherspoon pub could be transformed into community centre

“We all need to be aware that items like vapes, electrical items, batteries, gas canisters and bottles do not belong in household waste or recycling bins.

"These items can cause fires, explosions, serious injuries, putting both our waste management teams and the wider community at risk."

The waste worker is continuing in his recovery, the council confirmed.

Later this year, it will be adding new mini-recycling collection points across the borough for the safe disposal of smaller electrical items including clocks, remote controls, games consoles and kettles.

For more information on how to dispose of dangerous waste visit newham.gov.uk/dangerouswaste.