Bin lorry driver dumps burning load onto London street
This is the dramatic moment a bin lorry was engulfed in flames on a busy London street.
Passerby Sean Mizen captured the clip as the fire raged and plumes of smoke billowed out of the red Biffa truck.
The frightening footage shows the quick-thinking driver dumping the flaming load of cardboard on to the road in Camden in order to save their lorry.
In the clip, recorded on March 5, the stationary truck can be seen on the busy main road with its warning alarm sounding.
Flames can be seen engulfing the rear of the lorry as other road users carefully navigate their way around it.
The driver is able to open the rear of the truck to dump the rubbish on to the road as the blaze inside intensifies.
The fire brigade arrive on the scene and the lorry driver edges away from the flaming mass as Sean says: ‘Oh they drove away from it!’
Sean has since shared his video on Facebook alongside a simple caption that read: ‘Rubbish.’
The clip has attracted hundreds of likes and comments from viewers who have praised the driver for his efforts.
One user wrote: ‘Quick thinking from the driver.’
Another added: ‘That’s a good man doing his job and using his brain.
‘Most would have just got out and let the truck burn along with whatever set alight. Smart thinking.’
A third commented: ‘Smart driver, we have to appreciate him for staying calm and emptying the lorry on the floor. It could end up in a disaster. Probably they are trained to do so.’
A spokeswoman for London Fire Brigade said earlier today: ‘Firefighters were called to a dustcart alight on Finchley Road NW3 on Friday evening.
‘A dustcart carrying around a tonne of cardboard was damaged by the fire.
‘There were no reports of any injuries. The brigade’s 999 Control Officers took 10 calls to the blaze.
‘The Brigade was called at 19.36 and the fire was under control by 2022. One fire engine from West Hampstead Fire Station attended.’
A spokesman for Biffa said: ‘Following Friday night’s vehicle fire on Finchley Road, Swiss Cottage we are incredibly thankful our driver was unharmed and nobody was injured.
‘All health and safety protocols were followed and we are carrying out an investigation into the incident.
‘We’d also like to remind people of the dangers of incorrectly disposing of hazardous waste, which puts both refuse workers and members of the public at risk.’
