ABC15.com VIDEO: The Arizona Department of Transportation says two tanker trucks collided, exploded and caught fire in Phoenix, sending huge clouds of black smoke over a wide area of the southeast metro area and prompting evacuations.
Phoenix firefighters responded about 7:45 a.m. Wednesday to a report of a tanker truck crash and fire on westbound I-10 between U.S. 60 and Loop 202 freeway. Firefighter operations were challenged by lack of water supply near the crash and fire. Water tanker/tenders responded to the scene to deliver water. The fire was also fought with extinguishing foam.
Firefighters and police evacuated a one-mile radius early in the operation. The evacuation included hotels, homes and businesses. Phoenix Fire Department asked residents to the west of Interstate 10 to stay inside their homes. The evacuation orders were terminated about two hours after the crash.
The driver of the front vehicle — diesel gas byproduct petroleum tanker that ignited — was not injured. The driver of a milk tanker, which apparently rear-ended the petroleum tanker, was killed.
Stay informed with news from The Cardinal’s Emergencies Behind the Scenes Facebook page — Facebook.com/CardinalEmergencies. Includes links to favorite public safety and emergency rescuers and product manufacturers and safety companies that have facebook pages. Submit your pictures or just stay up-to-date on with fire, rescue, EMS and police photo galleries. Please add your public safety photo to the wall album — go direct to the Arlington Cardinal Emergencies Behind the Scenes photos. For a list of all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages, go to Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …
