Arlington Heights garbage truck explosion caught on Police Body Cam, Dash Cam; Did water on CNG cylinder TPRD (temperature-activated pressure relief device) cause the blast? YouTube Tips ⓘ
The cooling effect of a firefighter’s hose line stream directed to the top of a Groot garbage truck that was on fire may have defeated a heat-activated safety device designed to vent natural gas to prevent catastrophic explosion of a cylinder in the event of heat or fire exposure. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders were located at the top of a Groot garbage truck, and the CNG fuel in those cylinders powers the truck’s engine instead of gasoline or diesel fuel. The firefighting action may have caused an explosion that injured two police officers and a firefighter, damaged a fire engine, damaged a police SUV, and damaged several houses in an Arlington Heights neighborhood on Friday, December 6, 2024. Otherwise, the safety device designed to prevent explosion of overheated CNG cylinders may have failed independently of firefighter operations.
Three CNG fire safety sources warn against applying water to CNG tanks during a fire involving the tanks or cylinders:
1) A Fire Engineering article on fires related to alternative fuels,
2) an Agility Fuel Systems supplemental guide [PDF] for firefighters responding to CNG incidents, and
3) a Firehouse magazine article on CNG-related fires …
… all advise not to apply water to CNG cylinders exposed to fire because water cooling of safety valve devices (TPRD) on the CNG cylinders during a fire will prevent the safety devices from functioning to prevent a cylinder explosion. Therefore, attempting to cool the cylinder with water to prevent an explosion is the wrong action because cooling the safety device prevents venting of natural gas out of the cylinder. The natural gas can ignite and “jet” out of the venting cylinder until the cylinder is depleted, but this is considered safer and likely less damaging compared to an explosion.
“Counterintuitively, firefighters should NOT apply water directly to CNG cylinders as this can cool the TPRD, deactivating this. Applying water to a CNG cylinder can allow the cylinder to suddenly rupture due to defeating the TPRD safety valve. If it is reasonable to do so, the fuel should be shut off. If the cylinder itself is burning or exposed to flame, firefighters should clear a safety area of a minimum of 50 feet. Water may still be used to protect exposures.
If you are unsure of the fuel source, do not apply water to the cylinders. TPRD may vent fuel and flame up to 50 feet from the cylinders. Evacuate the area up to 100 feet in all directions and monitor with a TIC and combustible gas meter.”
A police BodyCam video released by the Village of Arlington Heights Police Department Monday, December 9, 2024 begins just before the explosion of a garbage truck while a firefighter near the front passenger side of the Groot garbage truck is streaming water from a hose line toward the top of the truck, behind the cab, and near the first CNG cylinder, which was closest to the cab among several cylinders. The CNG cylinders are all located at the top of the garbage truck. The garbage truck was facing southbound on Derbyshire Avenue. The firefighter using the hoseline appears to be standing about 20 feet from the garbage truck, and the stream appears to be directed at the CNG cylinders at the top of the truck or just in front of the cylinders, closer to the cab.
While the firefighter may have been directing the stream in front of the cylinders (to the south of the cylinders), winds were from the southwest and may have carried water north as a stray stream, droplets, or mist. This action could have cooled the TPRD and defeated the safety vent feature. Wind was around 10.4 MPH from the southwest near the time of the fire and explosion, and at about an hour time frame there was at least one gust recorded at 21.9 MPH at 2:51 PM.
O’Hare Official NWS
Mostly Cloudy and 31 F at Chicago, Chicago-O’Hare International Airport via NOAA’s National Weather Service
Winds are Southwest at 10.4 MPH (9 KT). The pressure is 30.17 and the humidity is 42%. The windChill is 23. Last Updated on Dec 6 2024, 3:51 pm CST.
Chicago Executive Airport
Overcast and 32 F at Chicago / Wheeling, Pal-Waukee Airport via Weather at Chicago / Wheeling, Pal-Waukee Airport – via NOAA’s National Weather Service
Winds are Southwest at 6.9 MPH (6 KT). The pressure is 30.19 and the humidity is 40%. The windChill is 26. Last Updated on Dec 6 2024, 3:52 pm CST.
The explosion occurred at exactly 4:03:00 p.m. according to an Arlington Heights Police Department BodyCam timestamp. The blast appeared to have occurred on the east side of the truck (the driver’s side of normal vehicles in the United States) and was directed primarily east of the garbage truck. Although significant damaging debris was discovered west of the garbage truck, and a witness on the west side of the blast reported seeing trees bending as if they were in hurricane winds, the video appears to show the blast, smoke plume and debris directed predominantly eastward. Also, the furthest location of debris known to CARDINAL NEWS was located at Hawthorne Street and Drury Lane, about 1000 feet northeast of the garbage truck explosion scene. Also, the home that sustained the most window damage facing the garbage truck was located directly east of the garbage truck. A home just east-northeast of the garbage truck sustained roof debris from falling debris at a high angle downward (impact on the roof of the home is shown in the dashcam video in the top video in this article).
According to a Fire Engineering article written by career fire captain Rommie L. Duckworth of the Ridgefield (CT) Department, CNG cylinders are fitted with temperature-activated pressure relief devices (TPRDs) designed to automatically respond to a fire that could potentially damage and cause failure of the composite wrap around the cylinders, heat the cylinders while causing increased pressure, and cause an eventual explosion. Each CNG cylinder has at least one TPRD. The composite wrap is like a scuba tank material, and this type of debris was all over the neighborhood after the explosion.
In Case of a Vehicle Fire – CNG
Agility Fuel Solutions ENP0084: First Responder Guide [PDF]
A. DO NOT apply water to the cylinders because this will prevent the PRDs from activating and can result in a catastrophic cylinder failure (high pressure gas rupture).
B. After 5-10 minutes in a fire without PRD activation, the cylinder pressure can increase to 5000 psi or more.
C. Burst pressure of an intact CNG cylinder is 8000 to 9000 psi.
1. Establish a safety area of 80 to 100 feet.
2. If the cylinders are not involved in the fire, the fire on the vehicle can be extinguished with normal response tactics.
3. If fire is impinging on the cylinders, or if the cylinders are on fire, it is best to let the vehicle burn and watch for secondary hazards, such as other vehicles or structures.
4. When a PRD activates, the result is often a jet fire – and may go out and re-ignite several times.
a. A typical PRD on a CNG tank will require 2-5 minutes to activate. Total ventdown time is approximately 5 minutes from activation but may vary depending on the amount of fuel in the system.
b. The cylinder could survive in a fire for up to a total of 20-30 minutes.
5. Advise towing and wreckage storage operators the vehicle is fueled with CNG.
Temperature-activated pressure relief devices (TPRD) will activate between 220-240°F when a glass bulb or fusible plug breaks in the TPRD. The device is similar to a glass bulb in a sprinkler head that breaks when exposed to heat and activates the sprinkler in a school, commercial building or home. When the TPRD activates, natural gas will vent out of the cylinder to prevent an explosion. Natural gas autoignites at 1200°F, much higher than gasoline, which ignites at about 500°F.
The activation of the TPRD destroys the valve. In other words, the TPRD cannot be reset and used again.
CNG is stored on vehicles at high pressure, approximately 3,600 psi. While this pressure may present a significant hazard, the fiber-wrapped tanks are hardened far more than gasoline tanks. Small CNG leaks tend to dissipate without major issues as CNG is non-toxic, lighter than air, has a narrow flammability range of 5%-15%, and has a high autoignition temperature (1,200 deg F). As with any motor vehicle incident, damage to tanks and fuel lines, whether from the collision or extrication efforts, should be identified and addressed using tools including a TIC (Thermal Imaging Camera) and combustible gas meter. CNG burns cleaner than gasoline and diesel blends, so a TIC can be useful for identifying flame hazards, and a combustible gas meter can identify areas where CNG leaks are significant. Initial actions for incidents involving CNG are outlined in the DOT ERG number 115.18 However, these are conservative recommendations for any flammable gas and may not reflect the relatively low hazard presented by CNG.
— Responding to Alternative Fuel Vehicles: Knowing CNG Is Not Enough/Fire Engineering
Note: The media release from Arlington Heights Police Chief Nicholas Pecora was incorrect or lacked accurate detail. The fire department responded about 3:53 p.m. to a report of a fire involving a truck. The explosion occurred at exactly 4:03:00 p.m. about 5 minutes after Engine 2’s crew arrive near Euclid Avenue and Derbyshire Avene, and reported they were on scene with fire showing from the back of the garbage truck. The police chief reported that the fire department responded about 4:00 p.m. to the report of the truck fire.
Early scene after garbage truck fire, CNG explosion in Arlington Heights (CARDINAL NEWS). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Police, firefighters, and paramedics from Arlington Heights responded about 3:53 p.m. Friday, December 6, 2024 to a report of a garbage truck fire in the block of 500 North Derbyshire Lane in Arlington Heights. Engine 2’s crew on arrival reported flames showing from the rear of a garbage truck. Extra fire equipment was also assigned because the garbage truck involved with fire was powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
Garbage truck fire, CNG explosion from ring camera in Arlington Heights on Friday, December 6, 2024 (SOURCE: Ring). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Arlington Heights Fire Department Battalion 1 reported at about 4:03 p.m. that a natural gas cylinder on the garbage truck exploded. Initially, no injuries were reported.
Debris fragments from ruptured black Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) tanks were strewn throughout the neighborhood as far as 400 feet to the west from the garbage truck.
Paul Duchek witnessed the explosion, and said that the blast wave blew trees sideways like hurricane force winds. A fractured CNG cylinder launched into the side of his garage siding — damaging the wall. Also, a tank fragment was located at the northwest corner of Euclid Avenue and Wilshire.
Debris was also found as far as Hawthorne Street near Drury Lane — about 1,000 feet northeast of the garbage truck scene.
The police department reported that on Friday, December 6, 2024 at approximately 4:00 p.m., Arlington Heights Police and Fire personnel responded to a reported truck fire on Derbyshire, just south of Euclid. Upon arrival, and while assessing the scene, a portion of the truck exploded. The commercial vehicle is powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) and operated by Groot Waste Management.
There were multiple first responders in close proximity when the explosion occurred, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department. Two police officers and one firefighter were injured by flying debris and post blast concussion, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department. The police officers and firefighters were transported by fire department ambulance to a local Emergency Department with non-life- threatening injuries.
Arlington Heights Fire Department firefighters aggressively attacked and contained the fire. Initially, investigators suspected that one of the CNG tanks exploded.
Aftermath of Garbage Truck Fire and CNG Explosion on Derbyshire Avenue in Arlington Heights with interview of witness of the explosion, Paul Duchek (CARDINAL NEWS). YouTube Tips ⓘ
The explosion was significant, according to police. Truck parts and fragments of the black CNG tanks were sent airborne, landing up to several blocks away. A shock wave caused substantial property damage in the immediate area. Adjacent single-family homes had sections of roof and siding blown off. Windows were shattered. The first-in fire engine (Fire Engine 2), which was parked behind the garbage truck was damaged with a shattered windshield. Also, a cab-mounted public safety radio was knocked off the console. Airbags on a squad car parked next to the engine activated and deployed. The firefighter that was injured was positioned near the fire engine.
Forensic technicians documented the scene using digital and drone photography, which included image collection and data collection from the destroyed garbage truck and damaged homes. Any resident who experienced damage to their home should call 911 to properly document the matter, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department.
Euclid Avenue (motor traffic and pedestrian traffic) was closed in both directions from Dryden to Windsor during the incident.
Mutual aid from nearby communities was used to support operations. Police officers from the Cook County Sheriff’s Police, Illinois State Police, Inverness, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Wheeling police departments assisted with traffic and crowd control. Rolling Meadows Fire Department sent an ambulance to the scene.
A heavy-duty wrecker from Hillside removed the garbage truck from the scene around 7:15 p.m.
Groot dispatched a clean-up crew and equipment to the scene. Groot removed residual content and debris that was on the street that was propelled onto adjacent residential properties and Derbyshire Lane.
Euclid Avenue and surrounding streets were reopened by 10 p.m. Friday night.
Residents in much of Arlington Heights, Prospect Heights and Mount Prospect heard the explosion. The Prospect Heights Police Department was notified through Northwest Central Dispatch of a vehicle explosion and fire in Arlington Heights the area of Derbyshire and Euclid Avenue. Early reports were that at a garbage truck struck or damaged a gas line that cause an explosion and vehicle fire; however the explosion was a CNG tank onboard the garbage. The CNG tanks are usually located on the top of the garbage truck where the trash is stored.
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Two police officers and one firefighter were hurt in a garbage truck explosion involving a CNG cylinder in Arlington Heights (CBS Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
Garbage truck explosion in Arlington Heights injures three first responders, officials say (Eric Horng/ABC 7 Chicago). YouTube Tips ⓘ
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