A trash truck in Yorba Linda, Orange County, caught fire on Friday morning, nearly causing a tragic accident. The event unfolded around 7:50 a.m. on Mount Triumph Way, with the inflamed vehicle being stopped just a short distance from a local residence, according to available home surveillance video. The owners of the threatened house, Mark and Candice Holman, reported that the incident occurred while their children were still asleep.
The burning vehicle continued to pose a significant danger as it collided with two brand-new trucks owned by the Holmans and started a fire on the nearby hillside. Concerns were heightened due to proximity to a gas tank. The operator of the trash truck risked her life, re-entering the burning vehicle in an attempt to activate the emergency break and prevent the truck from causing further damage.
Orange County Fire Authority Captain Sean Doran commended her actions and confirmed the operator was not injured during the event. Her bravery arguably prevented the situation from escalating into a far more disastrous scenario. This incident could have resulted in the vehicle rolling downhill and striking a residence. Consequently, the driver herself could have been severely struck by the truck she was handling.
In the aftermath, the Holmans reported that some Christmas presents stored in their vehicles were lost to the fire but expressed relief that their family was safe and that material things could be replaced. The fires cause is currently under investigation by the Orange County Fire Authority.
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