Fire Depletes City’s Garbage Fleet

By Jorge Casuso

August 5 -- Trash pickup could fall a day behind after a fire at the City Yards Wednesday night destroyed four garbage trucks and damaged two others, City officials said.

The damage -- which totaled more than $1 million -- will result in garbage being picked up later in the day, said City Manager Susan McCarthy. The remaining fleet will extend existing routes and concentrate on trash removal.

“We’re asking the public for their patience in the short term,” McCarthy said, adding that there will likely be longer delays for green waste and recycling pick up.

Trucks damaged by Wednesday night's fire (Photos by Lookout staff)

The trucks were in a row at the slow fuel CNG station, which pumps alternative fuel, when the fire broke out, McCarthy said. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

“Those vehicles can be considered safer than gasoline vehicles, which are much more likely to result in explosion,” McCarthy said.

It seems that the station operated correctly and shut down immediately, City officials said.

Fire crews investigate scene Thursday.

Four of the vehicles -- all of which are insured -- were destroyed and will need to be replaced, McCarthy said. The other two were damaged.

“A number of them are not coming back into service and will have to be replaced altogether,” McCarthy said. “One or more might be fixed.”