Garbage truck explodes in Moraine, cause under investigation

MORAINE, Ohio (WDTN) — An investigation is ongoing in Moraine after a reported explosion.

According to Moraine Police, officers and fire crews are investigating the explosion, which was reported in the area of S.R. 741 and Cardington Road.

Our 2 NEWS crew at the scene spoke with a transfer station worker who said a tank in the back of a Rumpke garbage truck exploded.

It reportedly happened while the driver was fueling at the pump. The CNG Services station lets compressed natural gas vehicles, like the garbage truck, fill with propane.

Officials with Rumpke say something like this has never happened before.

“We do not have a record of anything like this happening with our trucks before. We do everything we can to make sure our trucks are safe,” said Molly Kennedy, Rumpke communications coordinator.

Kennedy says drivers do daily inspections before their shift to ensure everything is working properly on the truck.

Fire officials in Moraine say they heard the explosion before they began receiving 911 calls.

“We all heard it, myself and the battalion, were on a street close by,” said Doug Hatcher, Moraine fire marshal. “It was pretty loud, I mean, we were a good three quarters of a mile away.”

Officials say no one was injured.

The cause of the explosion is under investigation.

SR-741 has reopened, but Cardington Rd. between S.R. 741 and Encrete Ln. remain closed.

The Montgomery County Recycling and Yard Waste Drop-off facilities are closed, but will reopen on Saturday.

2 NEWS is continuing to follow this story.