We have been reporting on the rollover risks of tanker trucks. It is so easy to just rollover, flip and crush if the driver is not careful and goes a bit faster than the curve can accommodate or makes an abrupt move or even if there is the slightest collision with another vehicle. Then, BLEVE would cause an explosion of the tanker.
FEBRUARY 23, 2015
PENNSAUKEN, NJ
A gasoline tanker overturned and exploded Monday morning at
an on-ramp from Route 90 to Route 130 in Pennsauken, causing flames and smoke
near the Betsy Ross Bridge, reports say.
No other vehicle was involved.
The pavement and the embankment were badly burned – tha asphalt
melted away due to the heat of the fire.
Numerous homes were evacuated nearby as the tanker,
which was holding 8,900 gallons of gasoline, burns and the product travels
through a residential area, according to various media reports including 6 ABC, which
reported the accident occurred around 11 a.m.
The truck's driverwas brought to Cooper University Hospital,
where he is in stable condition.
A foam task force was dispatched, extinguishing most of
the flames before 1 p.m.
The Delaware River and Port Authority has announced via
Twitter that the Betsy Ross Bridge is open in both directions, but the
eastbound exit for Route130 Cinnaminson/Camden is closed due to the fire.
The sound of the explosion startled some residents of
Wynham Road, whose homes back up to the highway ramp.
"It was a heck of a wakeup," said Wyndam Road
resident Greg Wicker, as neighbors gathered outside their homes in the wake of
the accident that sent billowing black smoke into the air.
Wicker, who had been asleep when the accident occurred,
reported along with other neighbors hearing several explosions at the time of
the accident.
"I had a ringside seat," said Wicker, who lives
across the street from one of the residences that backs up to the on-ramp.
Lindsey Figueroa came to check on her 93-year-old
grandmother who had called her in wake of the accident.
"I thought she was burning the house down."
Figueroa was concerned about the fumes from the fire and
possible smoke damage. Neighbors had been evacuated from homes in the area of
the fire for their safety.
As of 1:30 p.m., police said Wyndam Road residents on the
opposite side of the street had been allowed to return home. Those on the other
side of the street whose property backs up to the scene of the fiery crash
remained outside.
All residents were back in their homes by 3:30 p.m.,
according to Camden County Spokesman Dan Keashen.
