An improperly disposed kerosene heater recently started a small fire inside of a garbage truck in Hillsborough, which was extinguished by town public works employees.

According to a release from the town government, Walson Williams — who is in training — was driving and operating the truck under supervisor Graham Dodson. The pair noticed smoke coming from the back of the truck after turning onto Union Street.

Williams then stopped the truck’s compaction plate from moving garbage to the back of the truck, allowing he and Dodson to extinguish the fire and remove the heater from the truck.

The kerosene heater had an automatic igniter and batteries still in it. It had been improperly placed in a garbage rollout cart and picked up by the truck’s sidearm.

Batteries and fuel tanks are among a list of items including hazardous waste, used oil, chemical byproducts and construction materials that are not collected by the town.

A replacement garbage truck would have cost the town $300,000.

“Without this duo’s quick actions, we could have lost a trash truck, damaged the road, and — heaven forbid — had someone injured,” Police Lieutenant Andy Simmons said. “They deserve a large amount of praise for this great work.”

 

Photo via Town of Hillsborough

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