Apple Valley garbage truck catches fire

FireMinnesota

May 3

APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA - Just before 7 AM on May 3, 2023, a call came into the Dakota County Dispatch for a vehicle fire at the Applebee's located off Cedar Ave in Apple Valley, Minnesota. The source of the vehicle fire was trash in the back of a DSI garbage truck that had caught fire. Quick thinking by the driver of the garbage truck saved the truck after he safely dumped the trash load that was on fire in the middle of the parking lot behind Applebee's and in front of the Five Guys. The driver of the truck did not have any reported injuries as a result of the fire.

The Apple Valley Fire Department was quick to respond to the scene of the fire and get water on the smoldering pile of trash. Fire crews were able to have any visible fire out quickly, but were busy attacking the remaining hot spots that were still present within the middle of the pile which was visible via a thermal infrared imaging camera.

The Apple Valley Fire Department fire inspector responded to the scene of the incident to investigate the source of the fire. We reached out to the Apple Valley Fire Department for more information on the possible cause of the fire, but according to the Apple Valley Fire Department Chief, the cause of the fire was undetermined. We also spoke with a member of DSI, who stated these fires are oftentimes caused by batteries, both lithium and car batteries, but he was unsure of the true cause.

Cleanup of the trash was performed by DSI soon after the fire department confirmed any fire threat or hot spots were out. The cleanup was performed through the use of a skid-steer loader with a claw attachment on the front of the skid-steer loader which loaded the trash into a dumpster.

Proper Battery Recycling

Batteries are often times improperly thrown away in the trash when they should actually be recycled. When one does not recycle their battery, it can lead to lead, acid, and mercury leaking into nearby lakes, streams, and our landfills. They can also cause trash fires. Walmart, Autozone, and Advance Auto Parts all accept car batteries for recycling.

Single-use AA, AAA, button, C and D batteries (Akalian batteries) can be dropped off for free at The Recycling Zone in Eagan, Minnesota for recycling.

Rechargeable batteries (Lithium-ion batteries), which are often found in cell phones and laptops, can be recycled in a handful of locations across the region including Batteries Plus Bulbs, Best Buy, Certified Recycling, The Home Depot, JR's Advanced Recyclers, Lowe's, Pellicci Ace Hardware, and Terry's Ace Hardware.