Fire Breaks Out in Riverside Trash Truck
Blaze Engulfs Garbage Truck on 91 Freeway
A garbage truck caught fire along the 91 Freeway on Thursday, leading to temporary traffic disruptions in both directions on the freeway and the Adams Street Bridge.
The City of Riverside Fire Department confirmed the incident occurred around noon. Firefighters arrived at the scene to find the fire fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG), which was "aggressively venting from the truck."
Despite the challenging conditions, firefighters successfully contained the fire to the garbage truck, preventing any spread. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and no additional damages occurred.
As a safety precaution, authorities shut down traffic for approximately two hours while they assessed the situation. The Riverside Police Department’s Technical Services Unit utilized a drone to monitor the CNG tanks on the truck. By 1 p.m., officials deemed the area secure enough for crews to approach the vehicle to extinguish any lingering hot spots and begin the cleanup process.
The 91 Freeway was later reopened to traffic, followed by access to the Adams Street Bridge. Motorists were advised to exercise caution in the area as crews completed their cleanup efforts.
