Firefighters Contain Blaze in Garbage Truck at Charlestown

Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have successfully extinguished a fire that broke out in a garbage truck in Charlestown, Newcastle, early this morning.

The truck driver alerted authorities just before 8 a.m. after noticing smoke coming from the vehicle’s hopper while it was parked in a loading bay on Hopetoun Street during an industrial bin run.

A total of 28 firefighters, supported by seven FRNSW trucks, including HAZMAT units from Charlestown, Cardiff, Newcastle, Tingira Heights, and Lambton, responded to the scene. The blaze intensified, but crews managed to control it using four lines of hose.

As a precaution, a nearby medical center was evacuated, but the public has since been allowed to return. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported.

The cause of the fire remains unknown. FRNSW is urging businesses and households to consult their local councils about proper waste disposal practices to avoid potential hazards.