How huge steaming pile of rubbish ended up in Southport street

Photos have emerged of a pile of rubbish blocking a suburban street, with one person labelling it ‘so darn stupid’. Find out what happened

A pile of rubbish on fire in Southport. Picture: Doug Black

A rubbish truck was forced to dump its load on a Southport street after it caught fire on Wednesday afternoon.

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said one crew was called to the intersection of Nyora St and Kindra Ave after reports of a garbage fire about 12.45pm.

The fire was extinguished within five minutes, he said.

A Gold Coast City Council spokeswoman said it was investigating the cause of the fire.

“A reminder that products such as paint thinners, any types of batteries, including lithium batteries, and other flammable items can rub together and create a spark, so they should not be placed in any household bin,” she said.

“Residents are advised to dispose of batteries via Recycle Street at Reedy Creek, Merrimac, Molendinar and Helensvale waste and recycling centres or a local retailer drop off point.”

A fire broke out in a garbage truck about noon Wednesday. Picture: Doug Black

Resident Doug Black shared photos of the huge pile of steaming rubbish to a Facebook community group.

He believed the fire started because a car battery and petrol tin were disposed in a general waste bin.

“People are so darn stupid. Honestly,” one woman commented.

Last week, division 7 Councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden urged residents not to dispose of batteries or other flammable items in general waste bins after a rubbish truck fire in Parkwood.

Originally published as How huge steaming pile of rubbish ended up in Southport street