A trash truck’s load erupted in flames adjacent to Interstate 215 in Highgrove Wednesday, but the quick action of crews prevented the fire from leaping into surrounding vegetation amid strong Santa Ana winds.
The non-injury blaze was reported at 11:35 a.m. in the 300 block of West La Cadena Drive, less than a block from the southbound side of the freeway, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The agency said that multiple engine crews from the county and city of Riverside, which borders Highgrove, were sent to the location and encountered the entire rear load of the Waste Management truck in flames. The driver escaped unharmed.
Northeast winds blowing 15 to 20 mph were fanning the flames, and firefighters deployed around the vehicle to prevent burning debris from drifting into the brush, as well as a gas station in the area of La Cadena and Center Street, according to reports from the scene.
Firefighters knocked down the fire within about 20 minutes.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.