Garbage truck explodes into flames in Lake Oswego
LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. - A driver escaped injury Thursday morning after the garbage truck he was driving exploded into flames, according to the Lake Oswego Fire Department.
The incident took place just before 9 a.m. on Glenmorrie Drive in Lake Oswego.
Deputy Fire Marshal Gert Zoutendijk with the LOFD said the explosion was "pretty spectacular" but so far, the exact cause is unknown. He said the cause is "most likely a mechanical problem with the truck."
The driver noticed flames coming from behind the cab and Zoutendijk said the driver set the brake and jumped out seconds before one of the tires exploded. The driver was not hurt.
One firefighter was treated for "general illness" but was not injured while fighting the fire, according to Zoutendijk. He said the fire was under control in about 20 minutes.
Glenmorrie Drive was closed while the truck and debris were removed. Firefighters said the truck was a total loss and may cost as much as $200,000 to replace.
Video courtesy of the Lake Oswego Fire Department
So this is what a pile of burning, steaming $h!t looks like.
Hot Garbage
Aw, heck...a little baling wire, touch of paint here and there...good as new! ;-)
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Glad that the driver nor anyone else was harmed.
The woman on the phone was trying to tell me this is why we didn't get a pickup today.....I am sorry I didn't believe her.."garbage truck fire".....thought it was a phony excuse...my apologies!
 @bat54 I had a package delayed due to a train derailment. I thought someone at FedEx was messing with me, then I saw the train derailment had delayed thousands of packages, and mine was actually a little beat up when it finally arrived.
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Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.
 @knottriel  @bat54 I had a ground package I was shipping to Florida delayed while the Mississippi river was at record flood levels. The buyer in Florida called bull on it and I quote "I am not anywhere near Mississippi so there is no reason that would effect me"
What is with all these work trucks randomly exploding/catching fire lately?
Did somebody put their hot ashes in the can against the warnings?
He had the presence of mind to set the brake before he bugged out. Excellent.
Wow, garbage trucks are expensive! Glad no one was hurt.
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Sheez! That is pretty spectacular. Glad the driver got out of there alive!
I love the smell of burning garbage in the morning. Smells like victory.
 @xilef regnu "...This fire's gonna end someday... *sigh*"  :>
wow and I thought my job dealing with the public was bad, I will never have a story like that to tell.Â
Though sometimes I really wish some the people I deal with would just spontaniously combust
 @franksbeans Boy, do I know that feeling. Sucks.
Ummm, I'm pretty sure burning trash is illegal in Lake Oswego. The driver should be arrested.
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 @Kennyboy That was my son in law smart ass.. he is lucky to be alive!!!  think before you comment
 @doptnbc I was totally being sarcastic. I'm sure it was a scary ordeal for your son-in-law, but as he was not harmed, I don't think a little humor will hurt anyone's feelings.Â
 @Kennyboy OMG! I am SO distraught!!!
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OK. I'm over it. :-P
 @doptnbc Ummm..sarcasm anyone??
 @Jenni S.  @GTPYL08  @doptnbc Hipster. ;}
 @GTPYL08  @doptnbc With the things people post on here, you can never tell if someone is being sarcastic or not. It's why I'll usually add something to it to make it obvious, such as a winky face or </snark> or something similar.
 @Kennyboy ~  Awww... talk about adding insult to injury... This poor truck driver's truck almost blows up right out from under him, and you want to arrest him..???   How heartless..!  :-)
@margay1 @Kennyboy but funny, you have to admit
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 @franksbeans  @margay1  @Kennyboy ~  Yep, it is funny...!  :-)
Oh the humanity!
 @Dirtman LOL!
Poor Lake Oswegoans. (Lake Oswegooses? Lake Oswegophers?)
The news stations are talking trash about their neighborhood!
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Wow...that's one we don't see everyday..! Â Â Very happy that the truck driver & firefighters weren't hurt..! Â Â (I'll bet it didn't SMELL very pretty...!) Â :-)
With so much recycling of metal and paper plus the composting ... maybe ... just maybe, the trashy smell was not too bad.Â
 @Cindy B. Will they be able to recycle that truck?