photo by Chattanooga Fire Department
Chattanooga Fire Department officials on Monday praised the quick actions of Care Med Ambulance personnel who rushed to alert and aid the driver of a burning trash truck.
It happened just before 2 p.m.
in the 1300 block of Appling Street off Riverside Drive.
The driver of the Santek garbage truck had just picked up trash at Care Med’s office and staff members spotted white smoke coming out of the top of the truck so they flagged him down.
As soon as he stopped, they all heard a loud boom inside the truck and the smoke turned from white to black.
The trash truck driver got fire extinguishers off the side of the truck and started putting the fire out himself, but Care Med crews stopped him because of safety concerns. Paint was starting to melt off the truck.
They called 911 and began to treat the driver. He was taken to the hospital due to smoke inhalation.
CFD arrived on the scene and put the fire out.
Proper notification was made to get the trash cleaned up.
It is not clear was caused the fire.