Firework hazards: From dumpster fires to melted cans, Lincoln trash haulers have seen it all

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Fourth of July festivities pose a bit of trouble for Lincoln garbage collectors.

Uribe Refuse shared photos of melted trash cans and damage caused by fireworks.

“Fireworks are so dangerous,” said Josh Leavell, a garbageman of seven years. “I’ve seen totes melted to the ground, I’ve seen dumpster fires from fireworks, I’ve had a fire in the hopper before.”

SEE ALSO: Fireworks cause $25,000 in smoke damage to west Lincoln home

When fireworks are tossed in trash cans before being properly soaked in water, it turns an ordinary waste pickup into a fire hazard.

“It’s very scary because it can catch the whole back of the truck on fire,” Leavell said. “Everything in the truck is flammable, basically.”

SEE ALSO: ‘All it takes is one little spark’: Manager of Hickman firework stand describes close call

He said the problem isn’t new; it’s the same story every year.

And if it’s hot and dry, the risks are even higher.

“We have to treat every firework like it’s still hot,” Leavell said.

SEE ALSO: Health department issues air quality advisory for fireworks smoke in Lincoln

He touches each firework to make sure it has cooled off and is no longer explosive.

Leavell said it’s important to remind people that it makes his job riskier when improperly trashed fireworks enter the composter.

Waste collectors said this isn’t about inconvenience; it’s about getting home safe.

“It’s very scary and very nerve-wracking,” Leavell said. “Like I said, it can catch our whole load on fire if we dump it when it’s hot.”

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