A large explosion injured two police officers and one firefighter while they were responding to a garbage truck fire in a residential area of Arlington Heights, Illinois, on December 6, according to authorities.
The Arlington Heights Police Department (AHPD) said crews were responding to the vehicle fire when “a portion of the truck exploded” and rained debris down on roads and houses.
“Truck parts were sent airborne, landing up to several blocks away,” AHPD said.
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“There were multiple first responders in close proximity when the explosion occurred,” according to police. “Two police officers and one firefighter were injured due to flying debris and post-blast concussion. They were transported by fire department ambulance to a local emergency department with non-life-threatening injuries.”
On December 9, police said the cause of the blast was still being investigated, but suspected that at least one of the tanks holding the fuel the truck ran on – compressed natural gas – exploded. “Both police officers are home recuperating and the firefighter has returned to duty,” they added. Credit: Arlington Heights PD via Storyful
