Newport News, Va. – A worker had to be taken to the hospital and a garbage truck was destroyed after flames engulfed the vehicle in Newport News on Thursday.
This happened in the 300 block of Ilene Drive in the Denbigh section of the city.
Calls came in about the incident at around 12:49 p.m. and when crews arrived on the scene, they say the truck was fully engulfed.
The driver of the garbage truck was emptying trash cans when flames started coming from the engine.
Officials say the flames spread quickly and the driver suffered minor burn injuries. He was taken to Riverside Regional Hospital for treatment.
More units responded to the scene and they placed absorbent pads on the road to stop oil from the truck from entering storm drains. Workers from the Solid Waste Division also arrived to help clean up.
Officials say they conducted a preliminary investigation and an unspecified mechanical failure in the engine caused the fire.
The truck is considered a total loss and was valued at $160,000.
