Close Call in Ridgewood: Burning Garbage Truck Narrowly Avoids Disaster
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, A routine Wednesday morning in the Village of Ridgewood nearly turned into a multi-thousand dollar catastrophe today. On March 11, 2026, a sanitation crew was forced to make a split-second decision when smoke began billowing from the rear of their moving garbage truck.
Thanks to the quick thinking of the three-man crew, the truck was diverted to the Graydon Pool parking lot. There, they safely dumped the smoldering contents before the fire could consume the vehicle.
A Masterclass in Multi-Department Coordination
The response was a seamless display of local teamwork:
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Sanitation Crew: Used portable extinguishers to hold back the flames until they reached a safe dumping zone.
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Ridgewood Fire Department: Arrived on the scene instantly to saturate the 10-foot smoking heap of rubbish.
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Streets Department: Deployed a bucket loader to spread the refuse for total extinguishment and managed the final cleanup and street sweeping.
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Ridgewood PD: Provided essential traffic control and scene safety.
Fortunately, there were no injuries and no damage to the municipal truck. However, this “garbage fire” serves as a literal warning for all residents regarding what we throw in our bins.
The Hidden Danger: What Caused the Fire?
While the investigation is ongoing, the Village Sanitation supervisor noted that an improperly disposed gasoline can may have leaked, sparking the blaze.
Whether it’s leftover fuel or a discarded battery, “wish-cycling” (throwing things in the trash and hoping for the best) puts our local workers and equipment at high risk.
How to Properly Dispose of Hazardous Items in Ridgewood
To prevent another dangerous incident, please follow these safety guidelines for the Ridgewood Recycling Center:
| Item | Proper Disposal Method |
| Batteries (Lithium, Button Cell, Rechargeable) | Tape the terminals and bring to the Recycling Center. |
| Gas-Powered Equipment | Drain all gas/oil first. Bring empty equipment to the Recycling Center. |
| Used Fluids (Gas/Oil) | Must be taken to a Hazardous Waste Collection event. |
| Working Equipment | Consider donating, selling, or gifting rather than discarding. |
Pro Tip: Always place non-conductive tape over battery terminals before disposal to prevent accidental sparking!
Contact Information
Have questions about what can go in your bulk refuse? Don’t guess—check!
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Ridgewood Recycling Center: 201-670-3373
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Location: Village of Ridgewood, NJ
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