Garbage truck fire forces load dump on Cape Coral street

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK)— Cape Coral firefighters responded to a garbage fire late Monday morning after the contents of a Waste Pro truck caught fire.

According to the Cape Coral Fire Department, the driver dumped the load in the roadway per company policy to protect the truck and allow firefighters access to put out the fire. No injuries were reported.

Waste Pro sent another truck to collect the debris after firefighters extinguished the flames. The incident occurred in the 4700 block of SW 23rd Avenue.

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The fire department said the incident serves as an important reminder never to put anything hazardous in curbside waste. This includes lithium-ion batteries and fireworks.

Hazardous waste can be taken to Topaz Court Annex in Fort Myers or one of the city's biannual collection events.