An "unknown item" inside a garbage truck exploded Tuesday morning, injuring the truck's operator as he was working in Oakland, according to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office.
The explosion occurred at roughly 7:53 a.m. in the area of Moss and Fairmount avenues, the sheriff's office reported. A surveillance footage shows the driver standing behind the truck, emptying out recycling bins, before something in the truck exploded and sent him to the ground.
Authorities do not believe that the explosion was caused by a bomb but the Oakland bomb squad inspected the tuck, the items inside and debris.
The California Waste Solutions reminds residents what items can and cannot be tossed in the recycling bin.
“This is a very dangerous job and you wouldn’t think it when it’s recyclables but it is if people are not properly recycling,” said Tasion Kwamilele from the California Waste Solutions.
The garbage truck operator suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital, according to the sherrif's office. Was released
#NEWVIDEO Recycling truck operator is in the hospital after something explodes during his morning route in Oakland. Debris struck his face and body. Alameda County Bomb Squad is investigating. @nbcbayarea https://t.co/yLYzLXtu0c pic.twitter.com/7tNOf6HLOt
— Janelle Wang (@janellewang) March 19, 2019
The cause of the explosion is still unknown and the investigation is ongoing.