Device Causes Garbage Truck Fire Along Major SF Street: Officials

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A garbage truck fire shut down a major San Francisco street Thursday morning.

Officials say an improperly discarded battery-powered device caused a fire aboard a garbage truck just before 9:30 a.m.

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A photo posted online by the San Francisco Fire Department shows crews rummaging through a smoking pile of garbage in what appears to be South Van Ness Avenue in the Mission District.

"Please remember to follow guidelines for disposing of all batteries and battery-powered devices," the San Francisco Police Department said.

Authorities did not elaborate exactly what type of device caused the fire. No injuries were reported.

It is illegal to put batteries in trash bins, according to Recology, a San Francisco-based waste management company.

To throw away household batteries, Recology recommends placing them inside a tightly sealed bag and placing them atop the closed garbage bins.

Batteries can also be dropped off at any Walgreens in San Francisco, most hardware stores, or the SF Transfer Station Household Hazardous Waste Facility. Households, according to Recology.