By SDCN Staff
Oceanside, CA–Oceanside firefighters responded early Tuesday afternoon to a trash truck fire near the intersection of Broadway and Eaton Street, prompting temporary evacuations in the surrounding area, authorities said.
The Oceanside Fire Department was dispatched at approximately 12:51 p.m. and found fire burning in the rear dumpster area of the vehicle. Firefighters applied water streams to cool the truck and prevent the fire from spreading. Once conditions were deemed safe, the truck’s load was dumped onto the roadway to allow crews to fully extinguish the burning materials.
Due to heavy smoke, nearby residents were briefly evacuated as a precaution. No injuries were reported, and the incident was brought under control shortly after crews arrived.
Waste Management personnel later completed the cleanup and removal of the debris.
Fire officials said improperly disposed lithium-ion batteries are an increasing cause of trash and recycling truck fires. The batteries can ignite if they are damaged, crushed, or exposed to heat. Residents are reminded not to place lithium-ion batteries in household trash or recycling containers.
The city encourages proper disposal of electronic waste. Residents may schedule free curbside collection of up to five e-waste items, up to five times per year, by contacting Waste Management’s customer service line at (760) 439-2824 at least 24 hours before their scheduled collection day.
