K.J. garbage truck fire closes 17

MONROE — A burning garbage truck snarled traffic along Route 17 on Friday, July 5, blocking both lanes of the westbound highway.

Fire broke out inside the bed of the garbage truck around 10 a.m., said State Trooper D. Harter.

The blaze disabled the truck belonging to the Kiryas Joel Sanitation Department, shutting down the highway. The highway has been re-opened.

Police called in a wrecker, which pulled the smoking garbage truck off the highway and placed it along Exit 129.

The truck's operator dumped the garbage out onto the exit in an attempt to free and extinguish the burning contents.

However, as of 1 p.m., the truck was still smoldering on the exit ramp.

Harter said the burning material does not contain any hazardous materials.