Fort Worth Tanker Truck Fire Leaves Driver Critical
FORT WORTH, TX – A tanker truck carrying gasoline caught fire early Sunday morning following a crash that knocked down power lines, leaving the driver in critical condition.
The 18-wheeler, which was transporting 9,000 gallons of gasoline, lost control near a Valero gas station around 1 a.m., according to Fort Worth Fire Department spokesperson Craig Trojacek. The collision caused the truck to spill fuel, igniting a blaze fueled by the downed power lines.
“The driver was trying to prevent the gasoline from leaking into the parking lot when the fire erupted,” Trojacek said. The driver sustained severe burns and was transported to a local hospital. No other injuries were reported.
Fire crews worked for hours to extinguish the flames, using water and sand to contain the leaking gasoline. Firefighters cleared the scene around 7 a.m.
Lane closures remained in effect on the affected roadway while the incident was managed. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, authorities said.