Graydon Pool Scare: Smoking Trash Truck Sparks Fresh Safety Warning for Ridgewood Residents
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — For the second time in just over a month, the Graydon Pool parking lot became the staging ground for a potential disaster.
On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Ridgewood Fire Department officials were dispatched to investigate a smoking sanitation truck during a routine curbside bulk pickup. While the crew acted quickly to prevent a full-blown blaze, the incident has left local officials and residents asking: What exactly is hiding in our trash?
The Incident: A Close Call at Graydon Pool
The sanitation crew noticed yellow smoke emanating from the truck’s hopper while in transit. Following emergency protocol, they pulled into the Graydon Pool parking lot to allow the Ridgewood FD to inspect the load.
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The Outcome: No injuries were reported, and the municipal truck sustained no permanent damage.
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The Mystery: Despite a thorough inspection, the exact origin of the chemical-looking yellow smoke was not identified.
This isn’t an isolated event. This follows a similar emergency on March 11, 2026, where a crew had to make a split-second decision to dump or inspect a load after smoke began billowing from the rear of a moving vehicle.
The Danger of “Wish-Cycling” and Hazardous Waste
These “garbage fires” are a literal warning for the community. When hazardous materials are compressed in the back of a truck, they can leak, combust, or create toxic reactions.
Common culprits of sanitation fires include:
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Lithium-ion batteries: Found in old electronics and toys.
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Pool chemicals: Highly reactive when mixed with organic waste.
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Household chemicals: Paints, solvents, and cleaning agents.
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Aerosol cans: Which can explode under the pressure of the truck’s packer.
“Fortunately, there were no injuries this time, but these incidents put our municipal workers and expensive equipment at unnecessary risk.”
How You Can Help Keep Ridgewood Safe
To prevent a third “hot mess” at Graydon Pool, residents are urged to review the Ridgewood Department of Public Works (DPW) guidelines for bulk pickup and hazardous waste disposal.
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Identify Hazards: Never put batteries or chemicals in standard trash bins.
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Use Specialized Drop-offs: Utilize Bergen County’s hazardous waste collection days for paints and chemicals.
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When in Doubt, Leave it Out: If you aren’t sure if an item is safe for bulk pickup, contact the DPW before placing it at the curb.
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Any damage to the truck?
Must be from whatever they are using to clean the trucks. Never happened in the past when they were not cleaning them.