Garbage Truck Fire Triggers Warning To Watch What You Put In The Trash

LARCHMONT, NY — Some tense moments on Monday morning have led fire officials to issue a warning about putting potentially hazardous items in the trash.

Village of Larchmont Fire Department crews rushed to the scene of a garbage truck fire after sanitation crews spotted the telltale signs of trouble. The sanitation workers, immediately used the truck's onboard ABC fire extinguisher to keep the fire under control.

When firefighters arrived, they soaked the garbage in the truck. A firetruck then followed the garbage truck to a safe area where the garage was dumped and the fire extinguished completely.

Disaster was averted, but fire officials said the incident can serve as a teachable moment for all of us.

"We would like to remind everyone to properly dispose of items that may cause a fire," fire officials said in a statement released on Tuesday. "These include batteries, various types of solvents and chemicals, and flammable materials. They should not be dumped in the normal trash, but be brought to their appropriate end of life facility."

Officials suggested visiting the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Sanitation Commission for more safety guidelines and subscribing to the Village of Larchmont Public Safety newsletter.