Quick-thinking driver dumps smoldering recycling load in parking lot

A quick-thinking recycling truck driver “noticed the truck smoking while in a residential area and quickly drove to an open parking lot and dumped the burning load onto the pavement” early Tuesday morning, according to a statement from the Cayuga Heights Fire Department. CHFD was dispatched at 4:23am to the scene in Cornell’s A Lot, where they found “a large pile of recycling material fully involved.”

Firefighters were dispatched early Tuesday morning. Photo courtesy CHFD.

CHFD’s Engine 203 was first on the scene and began fire suppression, and was quickly joined by Engine 202, providing additional water supply. “Cornell supplied a loader to help break up the pile and the fire was extinguished in about 30 minutes,” according to CHFD.

The fire department was joined at the scene by Cornell Environment, Health & Safety, Cornell’s Grounds Department, and the Cornell University Police Department.

Fire Chief George Tamborelle tells 14850 Today that firefighters “found other items in the load of recycling like a seat from a car.” He says he encourages everyone “to throw only recycling items into recycling receptacles.”

Firefighters ensured the recycling load was extinguished. Photo courtesy CHFD.

A specific cause of the fire hasn’t been confirmed, Chief Tamborelle tells us. He credits the driver’s quick thinking for getting the vehicle to an open parking lot. “Heads up move on his part.”

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