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Trash Truck Catches Fire Near High School In Burlington County

MEDFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ (CBS) -- Authorities say fire crews responded to a vehicle fire near a high school in Burlington County Thursday morning.

Officials say a trash truck caught fire and was fully engulfed in flames at Tabernacle Road near Shawnee High School in Medford Township, New Jersey.

Medford Township Police say they evacuated three residences along Tabernacle Road for a brief period of time, due to the possible extension of flames from the truck to the wooded area in front of the residences.

According to police, initial investigation revealed the vehicle was in operation picking up trash along Tabernacle Road when the driver observed smoke coming from the truck and exited the vehicle when it caught fire.

Police say no injuries occurred during the incident.

Lumberton, Tabernacle and Indian Mills fire personnel responded to the fire scene to assist with extinguishing the blaze.

Burlington County Board of Health was also on scene and assisted with the incident.

Tabernacle Road was closed to traffic from Dixontown Road to Bearhead Road for several hours during the clean up and removal of the trash truck, as well as for repairs to the power lines and phone lines.

Police say Shawnee High School was placed in a shelter in place until the fire was brought under control.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and is still under investigation by the Medford Township Fire Marshal.

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