WFD Responds to Garbage Truck Fire at DPW Facility

Editor’s note: This article was updated following an interview with Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Cooley at 7:57 p.m.

Warwick, RI – The Warwick Fire Department responded to a call for a commercial vehicle fire at the Warwick DPW facility at 925 Sandy Lane today at about 4 p.m., knocking it down quickly, but with five garbage trucks lost.

“That’s for a total loss,” of the five garbage trucks, said Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Cooley.

Fire crews reported heavy flames when they arrived at the building, according to @RIBNS.  Firefighters had the fire extinguished by about 4:50 p.m.

Cooley said the WFD received the call at 4:15 p.m., finding five garbage trucks on fire. He said they had the blaze put out within 30 to 40 minutes. Cooley said the garbage trucks were empty at the time. The trucks had been emptied at the end of the day, as they usually are after their runs, he said.

The Assistant Fire Chief said the Warwick Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.

Lincoln Smith of Warwick was at the Stop & Shop gas station nearby when he heard a “small explosion” at about 4:30 p.m. He followed the black smoke to find two garbage trucks on fire at the Sandy Lane address.

“Those were probably most like the tires,” on the garbage trucks, Cooley said, referring to the explosion.

In photos of the scene of the fire posted by @BCalci25, two garbage trucks with smoke damage are visible, with Ladder 6 nearby.

Cooley said the WFD also had five engines and a special hazards truck on the scene.

Warwick Post will update this story as more information becomes available.