Crime & Safety
Garbage Explosion In Sammamish: Photos
A recycling truck had to dump its load along a local street after a fire broke out in the back of the truck.
SAMMAMISH, WA - Sammamish police have an important reminder for local residents: don't put flammable materials in the recycling bin.
A local resident threw a butane torch with gas still inside in the recycling bin on Thursday, police said. When the recycling truck picked up the load, the metal canister caught fire and started burning in the back of the truck. Once the driver realized the situation, he had to dump his entire recycling load along a local street to avoid a larger explosion.
Why? Because recycling trucks are powered by compressed natural gas, which is about as explosive a gas as you can get. Police released some incredible photos of the recycling garbage explosion:
Find out what's happening in Sammamish-Issaquahfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
What happens when someone throws a butane torch, with gas, into their recycling bin? Empty the cylinders of remaining gas, before recycling. pic.twitter.com/MNYKHkesg3
— Sammamish Police (@SammamishPD) April 6, 2017
This recycling driver was alert to the fire, and dumped his load before his CNG tanks exploded.
— Sammamish Police (@SammamishPD) April 6, 2017
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Find out what's happening in Sammamish-Issaquahfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Images via Sammamish police
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