Probable cause of garbage trucks explosion in Arlington Heights released

Arlington Heights, IL – calls it an internal review when Groot Waste Management continues his own investigation, and the fire chief Lance Harris, Lance Harris

“We cannot prove it, but there is a very high suspicion that this fire started in a recycling container due to the improper disposal of a lithium-ion battery,” said Harris on February 18 on February 18 Arlington Heights Board meeting. “The amount of fire and the amount of heat we had that day shows that it was a lithium-ion battery.”

Harris said when a lithium-ion battery flows into a thermal outlier and a dangerous process that occurs when the temperature of a battery or another system increases uncontrollably, it burns at around 750 degrees.

On December 6, 2024, a Groot truck caught fire on the derbyshire Drive and later exploded. Two police officers and a fireman were injured for flying debris and a concussion after the explosion. The three were brought to the hospital by the Arlington fire brigade with non -life -threatening injuries.

“I am here to tell you, I'm blessed, to stand here tonight and the same to have battalion boss [Andrew] Benkert is sitting here, “said Harris.” The other three firefighters and the other two police officers [who were on the scene when the explosion occurred]Going home that night was a miracle. It is also a miracle that we didn't hurt any of our citizens in this explosion. “

According to the police, the police and fire brigade staff reacted to the truck fire on the derbyshire, south of the Euclid Avenue, at 4 p.m. during the assessment of the scene, part of the truck exploded. Officials said the commercial vehicle was powered by compressed natural gas and operated by Groot Waste Management. There were several first aiders nearby during the explosion.

Firefighters attacked aggressively and contained the fire caused by a CNG tank, the exploded. The police described the explosion as “significant” with truck parts that were sent in the air and landed up to several blocks.

“[Compressed Natural Gas] consists of methane and burns cleaner than the petrol or diesel vehicles, “said Harris.” CNG is seen as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fuels. It is easier than air, it is non -toxic, it is odorless, it is tasteless and as we know it is flammable, just like our natural gas. “

In addition, a shock wave in the immediate area caused considerable damage to property. Adjacent single -family houses had roof sections and siding. Windows were broken. The first-in fire brigade broke its windshield and a radio for public safety from driving driving was thrown out of the console by the console. Airbags on a patrol car that was activated and used next to the engine.

Forensic technicians documented the scene, including the garbage car and the damaged houses, with the help of digital and drone photography. Part of the Euclid Avenue was closed for more than six hours.

“This incident was something that caused a lot of attention due to the damage caused by the damage to neighboring buildings and the potential life -threatening explosion that appeared,” said Randy Recklaus, manager of Arlington Heights.