Load Of Trash On Garbage Truck Catches Fire In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — A fire in a load of trash on a garbage truck Wednesday morning on the Post Road in Fairfield could have been much worse, according to the Fairfield Fire Department.

The load of burning trash was dumped onto the road to keep it from spreading the garbage truck, Fairfield firefighters said.
Photo Credit: *Fairfield Fire Department*

Daily Voice

12/07/2017 1:15 p.m.

But Lt. Phil Higgins, one of the first to respond to the 6 a.m. near the Starbucks at 1740 Post Road, instructed the driver of the garbage truck to dump the flaming refuse into the road.

That action prevented the fire from extending to the garbage truck, fire officials said.

Crews from three engines, one heavy rescue and one command vehicle quickly brought the blaze under control.

The truck driver who reported the fire was not injured.

Also, fire crews found remains of propane cylinders in the pile of smoldering debris, items that present a tremendous explosion hazard to firefighters and refuse workers.

“Pressurized cylinders, like propane tanks, should never be discarded as residential waste. Instead, they should be safely disposed of at designated collection points,” said incident commander, Assistant Fire Chief Roger Caisse.

The Town of Fairfield transfer station at 898 Richard White Way accepts typical camp and grill size propane cylinders for a $1 or $5 fee.

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