An investigation is underway after a Waste Management truck caught fire in  Reno early Monday afternoon. 

The fire started after 12:15 p.m. on Wheeler Avenue near Holcomb Avenue.

According to the Reno Fire Department, the fire had to be handled differently because the garbage truck runs on compressed natural gas.

The tanks that hold the natural gas are stored on top of the truck, and were overheated by the fire inside the truck. This resulted in the release valve going off for the gas tanks, which releases an approximately 12-foot tall flame.

The captain on scene knew how to approach the fire so as to not block the natural gas relief valve - an RFD spokesperson told us that if that valve had been blocked, it could have led to a large explosion.

A battalion chief with RFD says that the captain knew about this because RFD recently underwent some training with other local fire agencies about this exact scenario - so the situation was super timely.

There's no immediate word on if there are any injuries, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.