Skip to main content
SouthHams.com Logo search icon

VIDEO: Driver and dog escape as waste truck bursts into flames

SA Updated
VIDEO: Driver and dog escape as waste truck bursts into flames

Blog Tags

Search by Tag
Select existing or new tags and apply to your post.

Associated Listings

A driver and his dog managed to escape after a waste collection truck burst into flames near Modbury. 

Max Gillard, landscape labourer and refuse collector for Leaf It Out, was driving in the Modbury area today, Friday, 29 April, when he noticed orange in his rear view mirror. He pulled over at the next safe opportunity and realised the back of the truck was on fire. 

See the video below of the blaze in the back of the truck:

Max and his dog Dexter were able to get out of the vehicle and quick thinking Max tipped up the back of the truck, preventing the fire spreading to the cab, and called 999.

Kingsbridge Fire Crew were on the scene in nine minutes. 

The cause of the fire is suspected to have been six disposable vape pens found in the waste. 

Jess Rigby, Leaf It Out, said: "Thank you so much to the fire brigade for getting there so quickly, they were amazing. We're so grateful for Max's quick thinking to save the truck but there has still been thousands of pounds worth of damage caused to our vehicle because of a £5 disposable vape. 

"Please don't put them in the bin, it does say so on the packet. They need to be taken to the recycling centre to be disposed of properly. If this is what happened to our truck, can you imagine what would happen in your home bin or in your car."

Max was on one of the household waste routes in the area, and there may be a small delay in collections due to the fire but they're back on the road now!  

 

As a member of SouthHams.com, Leaf It Out has a great listing HERE, find out what they can do for you! 

Photos

VIDEO: Driver and dog escape as waste truck bursts into flames
VIDEO: Driver and dog escape as waste truck bursts into flames

User comments

There are no user comments for this listing.
Comments

You might also be interested in

Police appeal for information after jewellery theft in Dartmouth
Category: General News
Police are appealing for the public's help to identify a man in connection with a jewellery theft in Dartmouth. 
South Hams District Council is "investing more in local housing"
Category: General News
South Hams District Council is to boost its stock of homes to address the district’s immediate and future housing needs, a "top priority for...
"Huge improvements" to Follaton Arboretum in Totnes
Category: General News
A long-term project to make lasting improvements to Follaton Arboretum in Totnes is close to completion.
Ivybridge man faces five charges including sexual offences and robbery
Category: General News
A 34-year-old Ivybridge man has appeared before magistrates charged with five offences, including inciting an underage girl to engage in sexual activity. ...
Fire crews called to house struck by lightning
Category: General News
Fire crews across the South Hams have been dealing with weather-related incidents after heavy rain, wind, thunderstorms and flooding over the weekend. ...
Ivybridge man charged with sexual offences
Category: General News
Police have charged an Ivybridge man in connection to an incident in Plymouth.