(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Arlington Heights Police Department has released video of a garbage truck explosion that took place last week.
On Friday, police and firefighters responded to a fire reported in a garbage truck operated by Groot Waste Management on Derbyshire Drive south of Euclid Avenue. While they were assessing the scene, the truck exploded.
There were multiple first responders in close proximity to the truck when it exploded. Body camera footage shows a police officer looking directly at the truck when it exploded.
The explosion was large, and several parts of the truck landed several blocks away. There was also significant damage in the immediate area, including damage to roof and siding, as well as broken windows.
The windshield of a fire tuck was shattered and airbags in a parked squad car were deployed.
Two police officers and a firefighter were sent to the hospital, but have since returned to duty.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. A working theory is that the uncontrolled fire in the truck’s collection hopper was fueled by trash inside. It is suspected that heat then rose to the top of the truck where the Compressed Natural Gas tank is located and one or more of the tanks was ignited – causing the explosion.
People whose homes or vehicles suffered damage can contact Groot’s insurance carrier at (913) 491-2277 and refer to claim number RC15285.
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