Garbage ​Truck⁣ Fire in Phoenix Highlights Importance ⁢of Safe Waste Disposal

A fire broke out in a ⁣garbage​ truck in Phoenix on Monday morning,​ prompting the driver to dump the burning ⁤trash onto North‌ 36th Street ‌near East Shea Boulevard.

According to Phoenix Fire Department Captain ‍Sean DeBois, the driver⁤ followed standard protocol⁣ by dumping the trash to prevent the fire from spreading. “If there’s a trash‍ fire, the general protocol is to dump ⁣it out like this,” Captain DeBois explained.

The ⁣fire was quickly extinguished with no injuries, but it highlighted the risks associated with improper waste disposal. Burning​ debris⁤ covered the​ entire northbound road, ⁤causing a significant disruption to traffic.

The⁤ cause of‍ the ⁣fire is​ still ⁢unknown,‍ but city officials say that most⁤ garbage truck ‌fires ‌are​ caused by people carelessly throwing ⁢flammable items into the trash. Some⁣ of the most⁢ hazardous items include:

• Batteries
• Electronics
• Chlorine and other pool chemicals
• Hot⁤ ash from grills or fireplaces
• Lighters or‍ fire starters
• Oils
• Pressurized cans

There ‍were 12 similar fires in⁣ Phoenix last year alone, emphasizing the need for residents to ⁣take ‌responsibility for safe⁤ waste disposal. To⁤ learn how to ‍safely dispose ‌of​ hazardous materials, residents can contact their local municipality ​or⁣ a waste‌ collection company.

In Phoenix, residents can make an appointment through the Household Hazardous Materials⁢ Disposal Program, where a worker ⁤will come and pick up hazardous items. By ⁢taking these simple steps,‌ residents can help prevent garbage truck fires and keep‌ their community safe.