Exploding Garbage Truck Injures 3 In Arlington Heights

I think it's safe to assume that most of us are very familiar with garbage trucks. Regardless of your age, garbage trucks making their rounds and picking up curbside rubbish have always been a thing in your life, and there have even been some upgrades to the trucks to make it easier for the drivers.

Having said all that, I've never once, in my entire life, seen one detonate. I've never even seen one on fire. I bring up fire because when researching this I read that burning garbage trucks freaking out people are somewhat of a thing in Los Angeles.

I guess if I had been standing on a street corner on Derbyshire Avenue just north of Euclid Avenue in Arlington Heights around 4pm last Friday, I could have checked two boxes for things that I've never seen before: Fire and explosion of a garbage truck.

Take a look for yourself:

The Official Cause Of The Garbage Truck Explosion In Arlington Heights Is Still Under Investigation, But Two Cops And One Firefighter Were Injured And Taken To A Local Hospital

According to published reports, the 3 victims have since been treated and released, but there's no doubt that experience would leave you a little shaken afterwards, to say the least.

NBCChicago:

Arlington Heights Police and Fire departments responded to the area of Derbyshire and Euclid avenues after a garbage truck powered by compressed natural gas partially exploded, authorities said. Multiple homes' windows had sections of roofing and siding blown off, as well as damaged windows. Several subsequent incidents of property damage were documented by police.

While the official cause remained under investigation, authorities said "a working theory involves uncontrolled combustion within the truck’s garbage collection hopper wherein surrounding trash provided fuel to the fire."

One fire engine also had its windshield shattered, and airbags on a police squad car were activated by the blast.