Garbage truck carries smoldering load
Kelly Slusher stays on the hose to ensure a trash fire is completely out. (Erin Jusseaume/Clark Fork Valley Press)
Wednesday, Aug. 8 saw a garbage truck on River Road West smolder its way to the Plains town dump, before the load engulfed itself in flames.
The driver of the garbage truck, owned by B and P Services, had phoned his supervisor advising his load was smoking after completing the pick-up run along River Road West.
“I called my boss and told him what was going on and that I was going to try and make it to the dump,” said driver Robert Hicks.
“Luckily, I made it here (city dump) and dumped the load. Once the air hit it, flames took over,” he added. “I don’t know what caused it, but yeah, I’m pretty lucky it didn’t catch fire and it all worked out well.”
Once a call went into dispatch, Plains-Paradise Rural Fire was called to the city dump too, though it would see that one of the fire engines for the DNRC who were about to leave town were able to get there quicker.
“We heard the call come through and thought we could help, as we were the nearest responders,” said Tony Larson, senior engine boss for the DNRC.
Larson explained that when they arrived, his crew jumped into action to put the flames out. Members of the Plains-Rural Fire also attended along with aid from Plains City Fire Chief Tony Young.
It is unknown what the cause of the fire was that resulted from spontaneous combustion in the back of the garbage truck.
“There are plenty of objects that you throw away that have the ability to spontaneously combust,” said Larson.
Young reiterated that there are objects you could use in an everyday situation that you are unaware of their capabilities once thrown away. Both Young and Larson, as well as Plains-Paradise Fire Chief James Russell, say that if you aren’t sure on how to dispose of an object in the trash, such as maybe a chemical bottle, oily rag, etc., you can always call your local fire house and ask for advice on how to dispose of in a correct manner.
There were no injuries during the incident, nor damage to the garbage truck.
“We don’t to see any fires in dumpsters. We just want to remind people that even when you dispose of your trash into dumpsters they could sit for up to a week before they’re emptied,” said Dee Dee Steinebach, manager at B and P Services.