Crash Involving Tanker Truck and Fire
 
By PIO Doug Alexander
March 24, 2021
 

On March 23, 2021 at 1458 hours, (2:58 pm), Mt. Airy and New Market fire departments were dispatched to Rescue Alarm 70-99 for a tanker truck rollover with fire and entrapment on I-70 west of Route 27 in Frederick County. Medic 19 and Rescue 1 were first arriving to find a fuel tanker truck rolled over and fully involved in fire with no other vehicles involved. R-1 established the initial I-70 command. Additional information was obtained from the company of the truck that the truck could have been carrying anywhere from 2500 to 5000 gallons of diesel fuel. However, units were unsure of the exact amount at the time of their arrival. Unfortunately, the truck driver was pinned underneath the wreckage that was on fire. He did not survive the crash and fire. MDE was on the scene removing the remaining fuel from the truck. Some units were committed until approximately 2100 hours (9:00 pm) assisting with securing the area, containing hot spots, and assisting the tow company with removal of the vehicle remains. I-70 was closed in both directions for over 4 hours causing a major traffic issue. Local law enforcement handled the traffic as best they could. There were no firefighter injuries, and no civilian injuries other than the truck driver.

 
Units: R-1, E12, TT-1, M-19, A-18, M-1, U-1