Police Release Videos Of Garbage Truck Explosion In Arlington Heights

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — While the cause of a fire and subsequent explosion of a garbage truck last week remains under investigation, officials have a "working theory" of what occurred. Two injured police officers are home recuperating from their injuries, while an injured firefighter has returned to work.

Police said Monday they believe uncontrolled combustion occurred within the Groot Waste Management truck's garbage collection hopper, and surrounding trash provided fuel to the fire. Heat then rose to the roof, where the Compressed Natural Gas tanks are located. The fire/heat ignited one or more of the CNG tanks causing a substantial explosion, according to the theory.

Police and fire personnel responded to the truck fire on Derbyshire, just south of Euclid Avenue, at around 4 p.m. Friday. While assessing the scene, a portion of the truck exploded. Multiple first responders were in proximity when the explosion occurred. Firefighters aggressively attacked and contained the fire.

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A shock wave caused substantial property damage in the immediate area. Adjacent single-family homes had sections of roof and siding blown off. Windows were shattered. The first-in fire engine had its windshield shattered, and a cab-mounted public safety radio was knocked off the console, according to police. Airbags on a squad car parked next to the engine activated and deployed.

Forensic technicians documented the scene, including the garbage truck and damaged homes, by using digital and drone photography. Police said any resident who experienced damage to their home should call 911 to properly document the matter. Euclid Avenue was closed to traffic, from Dryden to Windsor, for more than six hours.

On Monday, police released two video clips of the incident. One is from a police officer's body worn camera and the other is a squad car dash-mounted camera. Each video graphically shows the magnitude of the explosion and amount of debris that rained down on the surrounding neighborhood.

Police said they have documented several additional incidents of related residential property damage. Groot's insurance carrier has opened a claim where impacted residents can file for damages. A representative can be contacted at 913-491-2277 and refer to claim number RC15285.