Marborg crew responds quickly to smoldering trash and makes a safe off load

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - A Marborg Industries trash truck made an emergency stop in Santa Barbara this afternoon after its load started smoldering during a routine route.

The incident began unfolding around Micheltorena Street near Garden street. Eventually the crew was able to make it to the open lot at the Earl Warren Showgrounds where they could eject the contents without a risk to the public.

The Santa Barbara City Fire Department dispatched several engine crews to make sure the vehicle was not involved and to break up the mound of trash displaced by the unscheduled incident. It was spread out in the parking lot.

The source of the smoke remains under investigation. No active flames were seen.

The Borgatello family has owned Marborg since 1936. Brian Borgatello told NewsChannel 3 by phone and Santa Barbara City Fire Battalion Chief Jim McCoy on the scene both said the crew followed the proper emergency procedures they were given in employee training. They picked a safe, open spot to dump the trash load. No one was hurt.

A skip loader from the Earl Warren Showgrounds was used to break up the trash. Firefighters used hand tools and a light water spray to make sure nothing else was a risk inside the pile.

A second Marborg vehicle was used to reload the trash once it was safe.