Bodycam video shows moment garbage truck exploded in Arlington Heights, injuring first responders
Video from a police officer’s bodycam shows the moment a garbage truck exploded in Arlington Heights Friday, injuring three first responders.
Two police officers and a firefighter were injured in the blast about 4 p.m. on the 500 block of Derbyshire Drive, south of Euclid Avenue.
Arlington Heights police officials said both officers were recovering at home and the firefighter had returned to duty. No other injuries were reported.
A shock wave from the blast caused significant property damage throughout the area and debris from the explosion was located several blocks away.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
However, investigators believe trash in the garbage truck’s hopper fueled the fire, which in turn caused heat to rise to the roof, which is where the vehicle’s compressed natural gas tanks are.
The heat caused the natural gas to combust, creating the massive blast felt thousands of feet away.
It took nearly six hours to clear the debris and reopen streets afterward.