A city of Spokane garbage truck was rendered inoperable after catching fire Monday afternoon in Spokane’s East Central neighborhood.

Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer said his department is investigating the cause of the fire, which started at about noon outside the Napa Auto Parts store at 501 N. Freya Avenue.

Rick Hughes, the city’s commercial refuse supervisor, told KHQ the fire started inside the truck’s trash compartment and suggested some kind of flammable chemical was disposed along with other garbage.

Hughes said hazardous materials such as flammable paint should be taken to Spokane’s Waste-to-Energy Plant.