The Driver is OK, Ware Disposal Truck Fire

Firefighters douse a flaming garage truck Wednesday near the VA hospital in Long Beach (Courtesy).

Firefighters doused a flaming garbage truck at the Long Beach Veterans Affairs hospital Wednesday afternoon, according to authorities.

The blaze was burning in the truck’s rear compartment and along fuel tanks on its sides when crews arrived around 12:30 p.m., Long Beach Fire Department spokesman Brian Fisk said.

The truck was near the VA’s exit at the intersection of 7th Street and Channel Drive, Fisk said.

About 25 firefighters ultimately arrived to fight the flames, according to authorities.

To fully douse the blaze, firefighters had to use torches to cut into the truck’s rear compartment because the fire had damaged its hydraulic system, Fisk said.

Crews were still at the scene around 3 p.m.

Please be safe, the waste industry is one of the deadliest jobs on the planet.