Fire Sweeps Through 6 Garbage Trucks In Huntington: Photos

HUNTINGTON, NY — The Huntington Manor Fire Department got a call for six garbage trucks ablaze and a couple of explosions Saturday night.

Six garbage trucks went up in flames at the Huntington Town maintenance yard on Boxer Court off Oakwood Road around 11:15 p.m. Saturday, said public information officer Steve Silverman. About 25 firefighters battled the blaze with three engines and a rescue truck.

The Huntington Fire Department brought an additional engine. The Greenlawn Fire Department was on standby and handled another call for Huntington Manor regarding an explosion at another location, which turned out to be related to the original alarm.

The fire was brought under control within a half hour, with firefighters preventing the flames from spreading to other trucks in the area.

The explosions many residents reported hearing came from the tires of the trucks as they burned, Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth said.

"We are all grateful for the swift and effective action from all of the firefighters who responded," Smyth said. "The situation is evolving. We will get more information to the public as it becomes available."

Six of 15 garbage trucks were destroyed, according to Smyth, who said he is relieved there were no injuries. Smyth said the cause of the fire does not appear to be suspicious, though it is being investigated by the Huntington Fire Marshal and Suffolk Police Arson Squad.

Chief Jim Glidden led the efforts with the support of assistant chiefs Brian Christen, Scott Cloonan and Mike Colonna. Suffolk FRES Coordinators were also on the scene.

The township is confident it can maintain regularly scheduled household garbage pick-up routes, though yard waste pick-up will be suspended this week, Smyth said.