A householder who dumped a canister of gas inside a bin could have killed or seriously injured someone.
The full cylinder of propane was punctured after it was loaded into the crusher of a refuse lorry at Inverurie.
Yesterday, the Aberdeenshire Council workers involved in the incident were still too shaken to talk about their narrow escape.
Council chiefs issued an urgent warning to residents about the danger of throwing gas containers out with household rubbish.
Claire Loney, principal waste officer, said leaving the cylinder in the wheelie bin was “a reckless and highly dangerous act”.
She added: “The gas could easily have ignited as it escaped from the cylinder.
“It was fortunate there were no sparks or naked flames at the time.”
About four tonnes of rubbish was packed into the bin lorry from the Souterford depot and the fuel tanks were filled with more than 30 gallons of diesel when the incident happened.
The driver rushed to the aid of the two men loading the rubbish after they spotted a cloud of gas coming from the rear of the lorry.
The householder involved has been contacted. It is understood no further action is being taken over the incident.
Councillor Peter Argyle, chairman of the council’s infrastructure services committee, said: “The results of an explosion could have been devastating.
“I am asking all residents to be aware of what they put in their refuse bins, to make sure things are disposed of in a safe and correct way.”
LPG gas cylinders and similar potentially hazardous pressurised items, such as oxygen cylinders and fire extinguishers, can be safely disposed of through the council’s household waste and recycling centres.
Details are available at www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/ waste and anyone seeking advice on what can and cannot be dumped in refuse bins can also contact the council’s Wasteline on 0845 6003900.