CHICAGO (CBS) — Arlington Heights police and fire responded to a garbage truck explosion and fire Friday evening.
Police said officers and firefighters responded to reports of a garbage truck fire on Derbyshire Avenue, just north of Euclid Avenue, around 4 p.m., and when they arrived on the scene, part of the truck exploded. The truck was operated by Groot Waste Management and was powered by compressed natural gas. Police believe one of the tanks containing compressed natural gas exploded.
Two police officers and a firefighter were injured by flying debris and the blast’s shock wave. They were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
After the explosion, firefighters were able to use a tower ladder truck to extinguish the fire in the back of the truck.
Doorbell CCTV footage showed the moment of the explosion, which sent a fireball and a plume of thick gray smoke flying into the air.
Police said some truck parts landed several blocks away, and the shockwave from the blast caused significant property damage in the area. Some homes had portions of the roof and siding blown off and several windows shattered. One fire truck also had its windshield shattered, and a police car’s airbags were deployed by the blast.
Neighbors described how powerful and loud the explosion was.
“I was just in my room and I just heard a big explosion. The whole house started shaking,” said Erin Dela Cruz.
“Suddenly something ignited. It was like a nuclear wave. All the trees pushed down and I was pushed off the edge I was standing on,” said Paul Duchek.
A tow truck towed away the damaged garbage truck around 7:15 p.m
Police closed nearby streets after the explosion while firefighters extinguished the fire and secured the scene. According to the police, all streets should reopen around 10 p.m
Anyone whose home was damaged in the blast should call 911 to document the incident.
