West Hartford, CT Fire Department Responds to Hazardous Waste Situation

A West Hartford, Conn. homeowner has been charged with second-degree breach of peace, second-degree reckless endangerment, littering, and discharging without a permit after throwing unknown chemicals into the back of a garbage truck.

A sanitation worker called emergency services around 7:44 a.m. Wednesday morning after the contents in the back of his truck began emitting white smoke. Multiple units responded and the road was closed down.

The 66-year-old homeowner ordered a bulk waste pick-up but was told some items were not allowed to be thrown out by normal methods because they contained unmarked chemicals. Instead of complying, the man disposed of the chemicals in the open truck anyway.

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