2 DSNY workers hospitalized after garbage truck fire in Prospect Lefferts Gardens
A DSNY spokesperson told News 12 that the fire was “likely caused by a lithium battery” that exploded while the truck compacted the garbage.
Two city sanitation workers were taken to the hospital after a garbage truck fire in Prospect Lefferts Gardens.
It happened shortly after 12 p.m. on Dearborn Court near Montgomery Street.
A DSNY spokesperson told News 12 that the fire was “likely caused by a lithium battery” that exploded while the truck compacted the garbage.
The FDNY said the two victims were taken to Staten Island University Hospital – North with moderate injuries.
Penny Lavin, a witness, said she watched one of the sanitation workers walk to an ambulance.
“All of the hair on his arms and his eyebrows and his facial hair were all burned off, but it looked like he was receiving some pretty good care,” said Lavin.
The DSNY spokesperson said it is illegal and dangerous to throw lithium batteries in the trash or recycling, and proper ways to dispose of those batteries can be found at nyc.gov/batteries.
