Garbage Truck Ignites, Has To Dump Burning Contents In Road

Members of the Bear Creek Fire Dept work on several tons of burning trash in the middle of Sawmill Road.

Darren Doyle, story and photos
Bear Creek and Kyrock Fire Departments received a call of a garbage truck that was on fire on Sawmill Road near Sunny Point Road today around 3:30pm. The driver of a Scott's Waste truck said he and his coworker saw flames coming from the back of the truck while they were on their route. The men said they had to empty the contents of the truck onto the road.

According to the Scott's employees, the truck was a brand new model, valued at over $350,000. The men said the company would bring another truck to clean up the mess and haul the trash away once the site has been determined safe. They also said much of the garbage would have to be cleaned up by hand.

Firefighters said they would probably have to be on scene for a lengthy amount of time in order to keep flare ups from occurring in the smoldering trash.

The truck sustained only a little paint damage because the driver was able to unload the contents quickly. No injuries were reported, but several tons of smoldering, sticky garbage smelled just like you'd imagine.