Garbage Truck Fire Behind Eagan Soccer Facility Prompts Extended Firefighting Effort
EAGAN, MINNESOTA - Fire crews in Eagan responded to a garbage truck fire Monday afternoon behind the new Wave Soccer Club indoor facility at 3370 Mike Collins Drive.
The fire was reported around 1:10 PM on April 14, 2025, prompting a swift response from the Eagan Fire Department. The truck, which was nearly full and reportedly carrying recyclable materials, stopped behind the soccer facility after the driver reported that another driver alerted him that his truck was on fire while traveling on Yankee Doodle. The truck driver stated he tried to find the safest place to stop so he could dump the load, but the fire quickly spread and he could not extinguish it or dump it. Fortunately, the driver could exit the vehicle safely and was not injured. The blaze reportedly appeared to start in the front portion of the truck, with visible flames seen underneath the vehicle. The fire quickly engulfed the cab and later spread to the back of the truck.
Firefighters faced multiple challenges while battling the blaze. Since the fire originated in the engine compartment, crews could not open the truck's rear to dump the load, trapping the burning recyclables inside. To complicate matters further, the vehicle was a compressed natural gas (CNG) truck, requiring crews to take extra precautions to cool the tanks and prevent a potential explosion.
To aid in the firefighting efforts, Dick's Towing was called to the scene to assist with lifting the truck’s tailgate. Additionally, a Bobcat from the Wave Soccer Club was used to help remove materials from the truck's rear to allow for better access to the fire.
As of 3:00 PM, firefighters remained on scene working to extinguish the blaze fully. It appears crews might have been clearing the scene by around 3:28 PM, and fire crews were officially cleared by around 4:53 PM. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The truck was reported to be a total loss. No damage was reported to the Wave Soccer Facility, except for some smoke in the building.
More information will be shared as it becomes available.
Written by: Will Wight
