Exploding Tires, Flaming Trash, But No Injuries In Princeton Garbage Truck Fire

PRINCETON, NJ — No one was injured as crews fought hot weather and a natural gas- and trash-fueled blaze inside a garbage truck Wednesday outside the Princeton Shopping Center.

Local first responders arrived at 2:33 p.m. to find the flames widespread in the truck. Michael Yeh, the director of emergency and safety services for the city, said some cardboard the truck had just emptied from a dumpster had caught fire. Yeh said the driver used a fire extinguisher, but couldn't put it out themselves.

"The volunteers and career members were challenged by the compressed natural gas tanks that power the engine, feeding the fire, exploding tires and the outdoor temperature." Princeton Fire Department wrote on Facebook.

The trash in the compactor was also burning, and fire crews had to dump it out.

City Police, the Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad, and city Public Works were all on hand — the public works department was "quick to assist with a front end loader and back hoe to open the back of the truck," the fire department said.

Plainsboro Fire, IAFF Local I-74 Princeton University PPL Firefighters, Kingston Fire, and Rocky Hill Fire were also on scene.

PPL Firefighters helped prevent oil from running into nearby storm drains, as well as fight the fire, according to a Facebook post.

Montgomery Township Volunteer Fire Company #2 helped handle local calls while Princeton firefighters were dousing the truck fire.

The Fire Marshal's office is investigating, Yeh said.