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Do you know what smells worse than hot trash? Trash that’s on fire. Maine residents were faced with the steamy stench of burning waste as a garbage truck driver dropped a load of blazing trash in the middle of the street. 

Maine garbage truck driver dumps burning trash in street 

Residents in Biddeford, Maine have been asked to avoid Pomerleau Street because it has been covered in burning piles of trash. A garbage truck driver dumped a load of debris all over the street once it burst into flames. 

This may seem like an odd or unprofessional move. However, it’s normal and the driver did the right thing to protect himself and the vehicle. 

Police officers and firefighters quickly arrived on the scene to help put out smoldering piles of litter. The stench of rotten food, burning plastic, and other items filled the air. 

It took a few hours to put out the fires and assess the situation. According to WMTW, it’s unclear what started the fire as crews continue to clean up the mess. Luckily, no one was injured. They just had to deal with a mix of smoke and odors. 

Cities don’t want to lose their functioning garbage trucks if they can save them. A new model can cost between $100,000 to $500,000 based on its features. Some used options can be found for about $10,000. 

Diesel-powered trucks are more affordable than electric ones. Also, improper disposal of flammable or hazardous materials can cause fires. Items like hot ashes, batteries, automotive fluids, pool chemicals, and pressurized canisters are common culprits.