BUFFALO, N.Y. — Emergency crews responded to a crash on Clinton Street involving a sanitation truck early Wednesday morning in Buffalo.
According to Buffalo Fire Department Commissioner William Renaldo, a Modern Disposal recycling truck was attempting to drive under a bridge around 6:30 a.m. when fuel tanks on top of the truck struck the underpass.
Two fuel tank valves sheared, sparking a large explosion that was felt at the Spectrum News 1 newsroom, which is located a mile from the scene.
Two other tanks flew off the top of the truck, one of which struck a house and landed inside of a neighboring home.
Renaldo says the fuel tanks atop the truck weren't just stored there — they act as the actual fuel tanks for that vehicle.
Renaldo says no civilians were hurt, and that the driver and other Modern Disposal employee inside the truck suffered minor injuries.
"It was obviously a lapse of judgement on the driver,” said Renaldo. “We can attribute it to the driver. It was obviously dark out, 6:30 in the morning. Thankfully not a lot of people on the road. So we're thankful for that and that there were no civilian injuries either."
National Fuel was called to the scene as a precaution.
So far, no charges have been filed against Modern Disposal or their crew.
CSX transportation owns and operates that bridge the truck struck. CSX officials say crews inspected the bridge and have determined there is no structural damage.