Fiery propane truck crash shuts down I-20 in
Arlington, Texas. THE PROPANE TRUCK IS ON FIRE.
UPDATE
Fire officials say their main concern is a possible
explosion, since the 3,000 gallon tanker truck was carrying propane. It burned
for hours Friday on I-20 near Bowman Springs.
Residents and businesses within a one mile radius north
and south of the crash were told about the fire, and asked to voluntarily leave
the area. AFD said earlier that residents within a one-mile radius were being
evacuated, but a tweet just after noon corrected that information, saying
residents had only been "advised" about the incident. The evacuation
is now considered voluntary.
Fire fighters are also staying as far back from the
scene as possible. They have set up unmanned hoses on the ground to spray
thousands of gallons of water on the 18 wheeler, in an effort to keep it cool.
Officials say an explosion is possible only if the container gets too hot.
A nearby natural gas plant opted to stop operations
until the fire is out, as a precaution.
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ARLINGTON -- Crews are on the scene of a fiery crash
involving a commercial truck and another vehicle.
The truck, which was carrying propane, is currently on
fire on I-20 near Bowman Springs.
All westbound and eastbound lanes are closed at this
time. Drivers are being asked to avoid the area.
No evacuations have been issued, and no one has been
ordered to "shelter in place."
There is no word yet on any
injuries, and no details about the crash have been released.
Friday, Jan 2, 2015 • Updated at 8:38 AM CST
An 18-wheeler fire forced authorities to shut down both
directions of Interstate 20 in Arlington Friday morning.
Authorities said the 18-wheeler carrying propane and
another vehicle were involved in a wreck on westbound I-20 near Bowman Springs
Road at about 6:30 a.m.
As of 8:20 a.m., officials said firefighters opened a
valve to release propane in order to put out the fire more quickly. Officials
shut down the eastbound lanes of the interstate at that point.
No injuries have yet been reported.
Authorities have not said when
they expect the interstate to reopen. Arlington Police Department officials
suggested using Pioneer Parkway, Division Street or Interstate 30 as alternate
routes.
I-20 shut down in Arlington after truck carrying propane
catches fire
Jordan Armstrong, WFAA 12:24 p.m. CST January 2, 2015
A 'voluntary' evacuation is being made within a one-mile
radius of the burning truck
ARLINGTON -- Hazmat crews are on the scene of a fiery
crash involving a commercial truck and another vehicle, which has closed all
lanes of Interstate 20.
Fire officials now say their main concern is a possible
explosion, since the truck was carrying propane. It is currently on fire on
I-20 near Bowman Springs.
All westbound and eastbound lanes are closed at this
time.
Residents north and south of I-20 near the crash were
told about the fire. AFD said earlier that residents within a one-mile radius
were being evacuated, but a tweet just after noon corrected that information,
saying residents had only been "advised" about the incident. The
evacuation is now considered voluntary.
The truck driver and the driver of the other vehicle
were the only people involved in the incident, which happened just after 6:15
a.m.. They were not injured.
Truck on fire in Arlington, via TxDOT camera(Photo:
TxDOT)
Fire officials say they are investigating what caused
the crash. Around 9:40 a.m., the Arlington Fire Department tweeted, "Crews
are setting up ground sets to keep container cool, letting it burn out."
They believe it could burn for more than eight hours.
Pioneer, Division and I-30 can be used as alternate
routes to Fort Worth