A trash truck caught fire Friday at a Riverside intersection, destroying half the vehicle before crews got the flames under control.
The non-injury blaze was reported at about 2:45 p.m. at Iowa and University avenues, near the UC Riverside campus, according to the Riverside Fire Department.
Battalion Chief Bruce Vanderhorst said two engine crews were sent to the location and encountered flames raging in the cab and engine compartment of the Burrtec refuse collection truck.
“The fire did not extend to the trash compartment of the truck,” Vanderhorst said.
He said firefighters knocked the blaze down within 30 minutes. However, the truck sustained $50,000 in damage.
No other vehicles were involved.
Iowa was shut down in both directions for close to an hour while crews extinguished the blaze and mopped up.
The cause of the fire was believed to be faulty equipment, according to Vanderhorst.