A Fulton garbage truck was destroyed after it caught fire Tuesday morning while making regular rounds on East 8th Street in Fulton.
J.C. Miller, Fulton Solid Waste Department manager, said the truck was driven by David McCormack, who escaped the truck with singed hair.
"We took David to Callaway Community Hospital to have him checked out for smoke inhalation. He was fine and returned to work Tuesday afternoon," Miller said.
Fulton Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Coffelt said three pumper trucks responded to the vehicle fire reported at 11:14 a.m. Tuesday in front of 818 E. 8th St.
"We arrived three minutes later. Our first priority was to knock down the flames in the grass heading toward the house. The tree in front of the house also was on fire," Coffelt said.
Firemen used water from the pumper trucks to attack the blaze in the truck. The garbage compartment of the truck was not damaged but the front of the truck was a total loss.
Firemen obtained water from a fire hydrant nearby to replenish water in the pressurized pumper trucks.
"Most of the black smoke came from the front tires of the truck that melted in the hot fire," Coffelt said.
Miller said the garbage the truck was hauling did not ignite. "The fire started near the engine and spread rapidly. The rapidly moving fire would seem to indicate a fuel source nearby. We will have the vehicle checked to try to determine the exact cause of the fire," Miller said.
Coffelt said the driver of the truck reported he heard the truck's radio sound like it was shorting out and then he noticed flames coming from the engine compartment. The driver jumped out of the truck and was not injured.