Garbage Truck Fire Leaves Messy Work In Banning

BANNING, CA — A fire that erupted Tuesday in a garbage truck on the south end of Banning consumed part of the vehicle and extended into vegetation before crews got it under control.

The non-injury blaze was reported at 11:28 a.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Longhorn Road and Roadrunner Trail, at the foot of the San Bernardino National Forest, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department.

The agency said multiple engine crews were sent to the location and encountered flames raging in the front half of the refuse truck, with surrounding bushes and dry grass catching fire.

Windy conditions were reported due to intense rain cells to the west of Banning at the time.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the burning vegetation and concentrated on the truck, fully containing the blaze at 11:55 a.m., according to reports from the scene.

The cab and about half of the trash load was impacted by the fire, which also caused the vehicle's fuel bladders to rupture, spilling an estimated 50 gallons of diesel onto the ground, officials said.

The county Department of Environmental Health was requested to inspect the hazard and determine whether a cleanup operation was required.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.