A New Jersey sanitation driver noticed smoke billowing from a garbage truck during a bulk-refuse route. The driver responded by pulling off the road and emptying the truck’s contents onto pavement near a local pool.
According to the Village of Ridgewood, the driver selected the parking lot at Graydon Pool in Ridgewood as a safe place to dump the load. The Village announced the incident on Aug. 12 but did not disclose the exact time or where the smoke was first noticed.
Fires inside garbage trucks can place sanitation crews, motorists, and expensive municipal equipment at risk. Ridgewood officials also used it to remind residents that items capable of igniting, sparking or exploding require proper disposal.
A local report said Ridgewood police and firefighters responded, and that no injuries were reported.
The Driver Moved the Truck Away From the Street
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The official Village of Ridgewood Facebook post documents the aftermath of the garbage-truck fire and recognizes the sanitation crew’s response.
After spotting the smoke, the driver continued only far enough to reach the Graydon Pool parking lot. The truck’s load was then dumped onto the open pavement, allowing responders to address the burning refuse outside the vehicle.
The Village thanked the sanitation crew for reacting quickly. Officials did not identify the driver or disclose whether the truck sustained lasting damage.
Officials Have Not Determined What Started the Fire
The Village said the cause remained unknown when it announced the incident. Officials did not identify any particular discarded object as the source of the flames.
Ridgewood’s warning mentioned lithium-ion batteries, but the Village did not say that one caused this fire. Other hazardous items, damaged electronics or combustible materials can also create problems when collected and compressed inside a garbage truck.
In October 2025, the Ridgewood Fire Department reported that a laptop’s lithium-ion battery was discovered after another smoking garbage truck dumped its contents.
Lithium-Ion Batteries Do Not Belong in Household Bins
The Environmental Protection Agency advises consumers not to place lithium-ion batteries or devices containing them in household garbage or curbside recycling bins. Waste collection and processing equipment can damage the batteries and create a fire risk.
The EPA recommends taking them to a separate battery-recycling or household hazardous waste collection point and taping the battery terminals or placing each battery in its own plastic bag before transport. New Jersey residents can also consult the state’s guidance on rechargeable batteries for disposal options.