A trash truck erupted in flames Friday near a Woodcrest residence, triggering an explosion inside the vehicle’s compactor and causing flames to jump into surrounding vegetation, though firefighters quickly gained the upper hand.
The non-injury blaze was reported about 4:35 p.m. in the area of Judy Ann and Canyon Ridge drives, less than a mile north of Lake Mathews, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said that both county and Riverside Fire Department engine crews were sent to the location and encountered flames raging in the rear of the truck, extending to nearby grass and shrubs.
The driver escaped injury.
Firefighters stopped the vegetation fire within minutes, and the truck fire was fully contained shortly after 5 p.m., according to reports from the scene.
Witnesses reported at least one explosion in the back of the vehicle, but there was no word on the source.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.