On November 18, 2005, the Mt. Jewett Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a reported vehicle accident with a large volume of fire at 11:50 pm.
Upon arrival at the scene, firefighters found an 8,000 gasoline tanker overturned and engulfed in flames.
Mt. Jewett Fire Chief Craig Simons immediately called for mutual aid from six other volunteer fire departments.
Lafayette Township, Kane, Smethport, Hamlin Township and Port Allegany from McKean County and Highland Township from Elk County, responded with engines and tankers. Several other departments were placed on standby.
Firefighters allowed much of the gasoline to burn off to avoid contamination of water supplies for nearby communities. The fire in the tanker was extinguished at 1:30 A.M. using foam.
Firefighters remained on the scene until 12:30 pm, Saturday, while the wreckage was being removed.
Approximately 75 firefighters responded to the scene.
The driver of the tanker was killed in the crash.
