BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo police are investigating an early morning crash involving a sanitation truck on Clinton Street.
According to police, a sanitation truck hit the overpass at Clinton and Lord Street around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Witnesses at the scene tell 7 News a portion of the truck exploded and blew into nearby homes. The crash left a hole on the second floor of a home where a bedroom is located.
BREAKING:
— Katie Morse (@KatieMorseNews) October 19, 2022
Clinton Street in #Buffalo blocked off this morning.
Witnesses tell me this recycling truck hit the bridge - then part of it exploded and blew into nearby homes. @WKBW pic.twitter.com/9IjGdoI2Om
“It seemed like somebody was dropping a bomb,” declared John Richardson, Clinton Street resident. “I was taking a shower then all of a sudden — boom — I fell out of the tub catching the shower curtain."
Richardson says his entire house on Clinton street shook after a Modern Disposal truck, powered by natural gas, hit the railroad underpass just before 6:30 Wednesday morning.
“There was five natural gas cylinders mounted on the top of the truck and two of those cylinders were severely damaged when they hit the underside of the overpass,” explained Commissioner Renaldo, Buffalo Fire Department.
Commissioner Renaldo says damaged cylinders propelled through the air and exploded..leaving this hole in the second floor of this home.
“One of the cylinders traveled about roughly 100 yards and struck a light standard and the other cylinder traveled closer to 200 yards ricochet off of one home and then wound up in a second floor bedroom of another home,” remarked Renaldo.
The woman who lives in that home didn't want to talk, but Richardson, who lives just three houses away from the damage says the blast caused his wife to fall out of bed.
“It shook you right physically in your own home?” Buckley asked. “All the pictures off the walls in my house. My garage all messed up with all the stuff falling off the wall,” replied Richardson.
Dwight Edwards lives a block away and tells 7 News he heard a “big bang” that shook his entire house as well.
“Honestly, I thought we were going to war or something, I was waiting for a shock wave or something,” responded Edwards.
The fire commissioner says the driver of the modern truck, and his assistant, walked away with minor injuries. and no one in the homes was hurt. I asked the commissioner if he was aware of this type of danger from a natural gas vehicle.
“I’m a little concerned myself. worse case scenario — if i'm designing these vehicleI I would think twice about mounting them on top where hey could be damaged or have some other type of protection possibility,” answered Renaldo.
American Medical Response confirmed to 7 News that they were at the scene. Emergency personnel treated the truck driver and one other passenger.
Modern Disposable said the following in a statement:
"We are very grateful that neither our personnel nor anyone from the public was hurt. The incident is under investigation and once that is complete, we will provide further comments. We appreciate the swift response and support from all first responders."
Clinton Street reopened to traffic around noon Wednesday.
7 News reached out to CSX for information on the railroad bridge hit by the truck. The railroad issued the following statemetn:
"At 7:00 a.m. this morning, a garbage truck collided with a CSX bridge at Clinton Street in Buffalo, NY. CSX crews inspected the bridge and no structural issues were detected. We have resumed normal train operations."
CSX
Total damage to the two homes is pegged at $45,000; $35,000 to the home with the hole in the side and $10,000 to the home with a damaged porch.
