A Routine Day, Disrupted

Some days begin like any other—coffee brewing, radios crackling, the usual morning rhythm. December 6, 2024, started just like that. But in our line of work, normal can flip in a heartbeat. Around 4 p.m., a call came in: vehicle fire near Euclid and Derbyshire in Arlington Heights. The kind of call we’ve handled more times than I can count.

But this one… this one was different.

We arrived to find a garbage truck operated by Groot Waste Management burning from the rear. The truck ran on compressed natural gas (CNG), which meant added risk—those tanks don’t just leak, they erupt. I remember standing near the engine, doing my mental checklist, when a sound like a thunderclap rolled through the block. Then came the shockwave.

You never forget the sound of a real explosion. It doesn’t just hit your ears—it hits your chest, your bones. It knocked three of us off our feet—me, two cops, and a whole lot of shattered glass.

Chaos on Derbyshire Avenue

The explosion sent debris several blocks away. Roofs were peeled back. Windows punched through. Siding blown off. Residents came out confused, afraid, clutching phones, filming with shaky hands. A home doorbell camera caught it all: a massive fireball tearing into the sky.

That video went viral, but what it couldn’t capture was the sheer unpredictability of the moment—the seconds between fire and blast, when we’re balancing between instinct and training. All three of us injured in the blast were treated and released with relatively minor injuries. But “minor” doesn’t tell the story of what could’ve been.

And here’s the part folks don’t often hear: a USPS mail carrier named Rafael Pozo saw the fire early. He knocked on doors, warned residents, called 911. His quick thinking may have prevented more people from getting hurt. That’s community right there. That’s courage.

The Fire Behind the Fire

After the smoke cleared and the pieces were gathered—both literal and emotional—we started asking the real questions. Why did this happen? What caused such a massive explosion in an otherwise routine garbage pickup?

The preliminary investigation pointed to a lithium-ion battery tossed in with regular trash. That battery, likely damaged during collection, could’ve sparked what’s known as a thermal runaway—a rapid, self-sustaining chemical fire that spreads with terrifying speed. Add CNG tanks to that mix, and it’s a recipe for disaster.

We deal with fire every day, but fires fueled by lithium-ion batteries aren’t like the others. They don’t just burn—they erupt. And they’re becoming more common in our line of work.

We’re living in a time when people throw out old e-bike batteries, power tools, phones, even vape pens without knowing how dangerous they are. It’s not just an environmental issue anymore—it’s a life safety issue. That explosion in Arlington Heights could’ve taken lives. And for what? An old battery someone didn’t know how to dispose of.

Looking at the Bigger Picture

This wasn’t just a bad day. It was a warning shot. A moment that reminds us all—residents, city workers, fire crews—how fragile safety really is when a single mistake enters the chain.

For first responders, it’s also a wake-up call. We’re now revisiting how we approach vehicle fires involving alternative fuels. Training is being updated. Policies are evolving. And in the background of it all is a growing sense that the world we operate in is changing faster than ever.

But here’s the truth—we don’t get to hit pause. We stay ready, stay sharp, and show up when we’re needed. Because that’s the job. Because even on a quiet street, in a quiet town, the unexpected can erupt right in front of you.

What We Carry Forward

No one died that day. And for that, I’m grateful. But I carry the sound of that explosion with me. I carry the feeling of heat against my face, the shockwave in my ribs, and the image of neighbors standing in their doorways, wondering what just happened.

Most of all, I carry the lesson: safety isn’t just our job—it’s everyone’s. If you’re tossing out old batteries, appliances, or electronics, don’t take shortcuts. Learn how to do it right. Your actions ripple farther than you think.

Lead with strength, serve with heart. That’s my motto. And on days like that one in Arlington Heights, it reminds me why I wear the badge, the gear, and the scars that come with it.

Resources and More Information

Here are some links to learn more and help prevent similar incidents:

• NBC Chicago: Doorbell Footage of Arlington Explosion
• CBS News: Battery Believed to Cause Fire
• NBC Chicago: Hero Mail Carrier Acts Fast