Downed Power Line Ignites Clearwater Yard Waste Truck

CLEARWATER, FL — Clearwater police and Clearwater Fire & Rescue responded to a call Tuesday morning of a live power line that fell across a yard waste truck, igniting the brush.

According to Clearwater police, just before 11 a.m. in the 2000 block of San Sebastian Way South, a city of Clearwater yard waste truck equipped with a boom came in contact with a low-hanging electrical wire while doing some work in the area.

The contact caused the power pole to collapse and live power lines to fall across the back of the truck.

Firefighters could not fight the fire because the power line was active. In an abundance of caution, six nearby homes were evacuated because of the gas tanks on the truck. No explosions were reported, however the tires on the vehicle did blow out.