FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — Fresno firefighters are working to put out a commercial vehicle fire involving an electric garbage truck that was reported just after noon on North Winery Avenue near Princeton Avenue.
The driver reported hearing popping sounds and seeing smoke coming from the trash collection portion of the vehicle.
Fresno Fire’s Hazardous Materials Response Team responded to assist.
Crews said gas readings detected at the scene were consistent with a lithium-ion battery fire, and firefighters suspect a battery may have been discarded in one of the waste receptacles collected by the truck.
Firefighters faced additional challenges because the vehicle’s design prevents the trash load from being dumped without power.
Crews are working to identify an alternate method to access and fully extinguish the fire.
Winery Avenue is closed between Princeton and Michigan avenues while firefighters continued working to safely mitigate the incident.
Drivers are urged to avoid the area and use an alternate route.