Tanker Truck Overturns, Bursts Into Flames In Camden County
PENNSAUKEN, N.J. (CBS) -- A tanker truck carrying about 8,000 gallons of gasoline overturned and exploded into flames in Pennsauken, New Jersey Monday morning.
The crash happened at about 11 a.m. on the off-ramp from Route 90 to Route 130.
As KYW's Kim Glovas reports, the fire was put out with foam in 30 minutes, but some gasoline spilled into a nearby waterway. Lieutenant Dan Kerr, Pennsauken Fire Marshal, says some of it got into the Puchak Run.
"There was approximately 200 gallons left on the tanker that has not burned and during the course of the fire, the gasoline that spilled out of the tanker had gotten into the Puchak Run, a non-closed sewer system," said Lt. Kerr.
"Puchak Run does feed into the Delaware River and we've been assured by our local hazmat teams, that they've been ahead of that spill and they have contained it into the Puchak Run."
He says the environmental impact may not be known immediately and the cleanup will take some time.
The DPRA says air quality monitors are in place and working in the community.
The Delaware River Port Authority says the owner of the truck is TK Transport based in Pennsauken. Eyewitness News is told the truck driver and a firefighter suffered minor injuries.
It does not appear any other vehicles were involved. The DRPA says no structures were involved in the fire.
Bob Ried was driving to pick up his son when the truck burst into flames. He says, "I heard a big bang and I felt it. I looked over and saw the flames shoot straight up. It was pretty crazy. I didn't see the truck... all I saw was flames. It felt like a bomb went off."
The DRPA says 30 homes adjacent to the site were evacuated as a safety precaution.
Firefighters and police went door-to-door to nearby homes to evacuate residents.
A resident tells Eyewitness News she came home after receiving a phone call at work about the explosion near her house.
"My concern was the smoke and my dog being the only one in the house. My kids are coming home from school shortly and I needed to know that they are going to be safe."
The DRPA says all residents have since been permitted to return to their homes.
PHOTOS: Over The Scene
The tanker truck was removed from the scene and cleanup lasted well into the night.
The U.S. Coast Guard has been advised and will monitor the incident. The Camden County Health Department in coordination with the Pennsauken Fire Department has set up a command center at the scene.
NJDOT says the ramp is closed at this time. Authorities are also asking drivers to avoid the Betsy Ross Bridge.
The DRPA says Route 90 east is closed to Rt. 73. Look for reopening as cleanup progresses. The route 90 east ramp to 130 north and south is closed. The local access exit to 130 north is open. Follow the Hilton Road (130N) detour.
Stay with CBSPhilly.com for the latest on this developing story.
