10/21/2026
A great reminder NOT to throw your lithium batteries in the regular trash. Please dispose of them properly.
Several apps and websites can guide you to the correct location.
https://batterynetwork.org/locator/
https://epa.ohio.gov/monitor-pollution/pollution-issues/batteries/batteries
The Morenci Fire Department was dispatched at 11:38 am for a vehicle fire behind our station, on arrival there was a garbage truck smoking from the rear of the vehicle,upon investigation, a E-bike was found with damaged done to the lithium-ion batteries from the garbage truck compaction causing a fire.
The bike was safely removed and submerged in a drum full of water where it will remain for a couple of days.
According to the driver, this bike was in one of the dumpsters located behind the business district, either behind the Village Inn or the Morenci Eagles club.
The fire was contained to a small area in the rear of the truck and very luckily no one was hurt when the battery was damaged.
With the popularity of the E bikes and scooters, we are asking anyone that owns them to practice safe storage and disposal practices, please follow manufacturers recommendations on both practices.
Lithium-ion batteries need to be cared for and properly disposed of at the end of the service life, please refer to manufacturer recommendations or gain the proper information from many online resources.
The following are a couple of the many online resources:
The Battery Network- batterynetwork.org
Hungry for Batteries - hungryforbatteries.org
Or contact the Morenci Fire Department and we will be happy to assist you.
Thank you
Brad Lonis
Fire Chief
Morenci Fire Department