Recycling truck dumps smoldering load on Summit Avenue. A lithium battery was likely to blame.

When a Eureka Recycling trump dumped a smoking load into the frontage road of Summit Avenue near Macalester College around midday Tuesday, there was no ill will intended. It was the quickest way to put out a fire, likely caused by an improperly disposed of lithium battery. “This is what we call a hot load in our industry,” said Katie Drews, co-president and chief executive officer of Eureka Recycling. “Fortunately, and unfortunately, we’re a little used to having to deal with fires in this industry. Our driver was able to...