Three people, of which two were police officers and one a firefighter, were injured when a garbage truck exploded in a Chicago suburb last Friday.
The police officers and firefighter were responding to reports of a truck fire in Arlington Heights, about 25 miles northwest of downtown Chicago, around 4 p.m. Friday and assessing the scene, when a portion of the truck exploded, Arlington Heights Police Department said in a news release Friday. The officers were injured due to “flying debris and post blast concussion” and were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A number of first responders were present in close proximity to the area when the explosion occurred and immediately responded to the situation, police said, while “Arlington Heights Fire Dept. personnel aggressively attacked and contained the fire.”
Video captures moment of explosion
Airbags on a squad car parked next to the engine were activated and deployed while forensic technicians documented the scene, including the garbage truck and damaged homes, using digital and drone photography.
‘Significant’ explosion and damages
“The explosion was significant,” the news release said. “Truck parts were sent airborne, landing up to several blocks away. A shock wave caused substantial property damage in the immediate area. Adjacent single-family homes had sections of roof and siding blown off. Windows were shattered. The first-in fire engine had its windshield shattered and a cab-mounted public safety radio was knocked off the console.”
Video footage shared by Paul Garanzini shows the moment a portion of the truck exploded, with debris seen flying into the air, followed by a large boom.
Residents who experienced damages due to the explosion have been requested to call 911 “to properly document the matter.”
The truck, powered by compressed natural gas, was operated by Groot Waste Management, police said, adding the company sent clean-up crew and equipment to the scene, who “removed residual content” from residential properties in the area and the roads. It was not immediately clear why the truck caught fire and exploded, and Groot Waste Management did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for an update on the incident.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.
