Coals, chemicals may have started fires in Hampton trash trucks

Hampton officials believe that hot coals or discarded chemicals may have ignited two separate fires inside two city trash trucks.

A release issued by the city said that the two fires, one in the morning and another in the afternoon, broke out during trash collection on June 25. Hot coals – perhaps remnants from a barbecue grill – or discarded chemicals, which are prohibited from regular trash disposal, may be to blame.

The first incident occurred on Wedgwood Drive and was discovered by the driver. Firefighters were able to partially extinguish the fire inside the truck's hopper before completely putting it out when the load was dumped, the release said.

The second incident happened on Winchester Drive when a resident noticed smoke coming from the hopper and alerted the driver. The driver immediately dumped the load and called firefighters who put out the flames.

Authorities recommend that embers not be discarded for at least three days. Smoldering embers can be easily ignited when mixed with flammable materials in a compact space like a hopper. Residents also should never throw flammable liquids like gasoline, oil or turpentine in the trash.

Filed under: CRIME