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Emergency services raced to Snodhurst Avenue in Chatham on Monday morning after a waste collection vehicle suddenly burst into flames.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the incident at 09:46, dispatching two fire engines along with a specialized technical rescue unit to control the unfolding hazard in Medway.
Upon arrival, crews faced a challenging scene that required specialized equipment to contain the fire.
Firefighters utilized cutting tools to open access points within the vehicle, allowing them to target the hidden seat of the blaze.
To extinguish the fire safely, teams deployed high-pressure hose reel jets alongside a fog spike—an advanced tool designed to inject water directly into densely packed waste material.
The intensive operation lasted nearly four hours, with crews finally bringing the incident to a close at 13:26.
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire, and officials confirmed that the cause of the mysterious blaze remains under investigation.