Clean-up Underway After Fuel Tanker Blast in N.J.
Source Philadelphia Inquirer
Feb. 24--Emergency crews were expected to continue working into Tuesday to clean up thousands of gallons of fuel that spilled in Pennsauken from a tanker truck that overturned and exploded into flames Monday morning, authorities said.
They said the roadway would be closed as it is cleaned up and inspected for structural damage, and alerted motorists to expect detours.
The incident occurred about 11 a.m. on the ramp to Route 130 from Route 90. The tanker spilled 7,800 gallons of fuel, said John Hanson, chief executive officer for the Delaware River Port Authority, which oversees the ramp.
The fire sent into the sky thick black smoke that could be seen for miles around.
Authorities said a crash team would try to determine the cause of the accident and whether ice or snow was a contributing factor.
The tanker driver was taken to Cooper University Hospital with "minor injuries," according to the DRPA. A firefighter was taken by stretcher to an ambulance. The extent of the firefighter's injuries was not known.
It did not appear that any other vehicles were involved.
Within a half-hour of the fire's erupting, firefighters brought the blaze under control, the DRPA said in a statement.
One nearby resident, Kristen Bolch, said she heard two "big bangs" and thought nearby houses were on fire when she looked out.
Yolanda Jackson, who also lives close to the accident site, said she left work to check on her house and was relieved to see that the flames had not ignited any homes.
Hazmat teams responded, spraying foam on the blaze, said Dan Keashen, spokesman for Camden County.
"The weather has made fighting the fire challenging," Keashen said as crews worked to bring the flames under control. Emergency crews had to deal with low temperatures and winds.
For a while, 30 houses near the site were evacuated as a safety precaution, the DRPA said.
The agency also said the Coast Guard had been advised of the incident. The Coast Guard staffs the National Response Center for spills.
As the accident unfolded, authorities advised those in the area to take precautions to avoid breathing fumes.
In addition to Pennsauken fire and rescue, and the Camden County Office of Emergency Management with Hazmat workers, other towns sent fire units to assist.
856-779-3838 @BBBoyer
Copyright 2015 - The Philadelphia Inquirer
