Explosion in back of garbage truck prompts investigation in Tacoma
An explosion in the back of a garbage truck left the vehicle smoldering in Tacoma on Wednesday.
Firefighters were dispatched at 8:57 a.m. to the 3900 block of South 74th Street for a garbage truck on fire. There was also concerns that a building close by was exposed to the fire, Tacoma Fire spokesperson Chelsea Shepherd told The News Tribune.
Firefighters put out the flames coming out through the back of the truck, she said. An explosion was heard in the back after the driver compressed the garbage in the truck. Shepherd said it is unknown what object caused the explosion, but an investigation is underway.
The driver pulled over and dumped the contents so they would not ignite the entire vehicle, she said. 74th Street was closed for a couple blocks as firefighters waited for the truck to smoke out through its vent.
No buildings were impacted, and there were no reported injuries, she said.
