Google Street View captures garbage truck on fire in West Vancouver
While Google Street View is a handy tool that allows users to virtually explore streets and landmarks, it can also capture some pretty unusual sights.
That's what happened earlier this year when a Google Street View car was travelling eastbound on Hwy 99/1 near Almondel Crescent in West Vancouver.
The images captured heavy smoke and flames billowing out of a garbage truck on the side of the road.
Jeremy Crawford, the general manager of Waste Control Services Inc., tells CTV News Vancouver that the fire broke out on one of their trucks on April 20 and an employee was able to extinguish the flames.
That employee can be seen on the Google Street View images climbing up to the top of the truck with a fire extinguisher in hand.
While Crawford says he doesn't know the exact cause of the fire, he doesn't believe it was mechanical.
"It's just speculation at this point but it could have been from something in a container that he just serviced that might have been smouldering at the time like a cigarette butt," he says. "The wind from travelling at highway speeds could have stoked the fire."
The images also captured another motorist who pulled over and approached the employee to offer help.
Crawford says fortunately, there was no serious damage.
"There were a few hydraulic lines that were replaced as a result, but the majority of the damage was just cosmetic…so new decals."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
RCMP officers had no legal authority to enter man's home, make arrest: B.C. court
A B.C. man has been found not guilty of assaulting two RCMP officers – with the court finding he was resisting an "unlawful entry and arrest" in his home before he was tasered, taken down and hauled away in handcuffs.