Garbage truck catches fire on interstate, driver not hurt

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.(May 26, 2023) - No one was injured after a garbage collecting truck caught fire on Interstate 24 Monday morning, June 26.

Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department (MFRD) responded to the fire on I-24 east near Exit 80 (New Salem Hwy) at 9 a.m. The trash truck was fully involved in flames.

MFRD Firefighters doused the flames using a ladder truck and hand lines.

The driver told firefighters she saw fire, pulled over to the shoulder of the highway, and got out. The driver was not hurt.

The cause of the fire is not known.

Fire personnel with Ladder 11, Engine 5, Engine 7, Engine 9, Rescue 1, Rescue 11, Battalion Chief 2, Safety 1 and 2 assisted with the fire. Several administrative staff members also responded to the fire. Rutherford County Fire & Rescue Department sent to tanker trucks to assist with water supply.

Interstate 24 towards Chattanooga was shut down for a few hours while firefighters extinguished the fire and as the wreckage was removed.

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