Hundreds Of Firefighters Contain Tandem Tanker Fire In Boyle Heights
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Officials continued their investigation Saturday into a tandem tanker truck that overturned and caught fire in Boyle Heights yesterday afternoon.
According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, crews were alerted by multiple 911 calls around 3:30 p.m. Friday, which reported a fire that was threatening homes near the 8th Street on ramp, to the Southbound Golden STate I-5 Freeway, near the East Los Angeles interchange.
Additional callers were able to clarify that a gasoline transport tanker was involved in the blaze, officials explained.
According to firefighters, only the rear trailer of the tandem tanker, owned by Golden Bear Marketing, overturned and ignited. The driver was able to escape from the vehicle unharmed.
About 4,500 gallons of cargo gasoline spilled, creating a stretch of flames in gutters that extended downhill and Eastward from the incident, police said.
Firefighters reported the flames consumed a parked and unoccupied sports utility vehicle before crews arrived on scene, which actively threatened three homes to the East.
A residential triplex located in the 2600 block of East 8th Street suffered serious damage. Two other homes located closer to the tanker suffered superficial damage.
Authorities explained electrical wires above the scene were damaged by the intense flames, which impacted utility service in the area.
Once on scene, 157 firefighters worked to actively extinguish the flames alongside special units, a trio of foam tenders and a helicopter.
Crews were able to extinguish active flames in within 20 minutes. They fully extinguished all vehicle, vegetation and structural fire within one hour and 20 minutes.
Authorities explained the front tank, cargo section and tractor we unscathed by the flames.
No injuries were reported, however, seven adults and three children received temporary placement assistance from the American Red Cross due to damage sustained in the triplex.
The freeway on ramp and a short section of East 8th Street was to remain closed until at least Saturday morning, officials said.
Firefighters remained on scene for more than 10 hours to assist in cleaning and investigative efforts. As much as 2,000 gallons of unburned fuel was safely transferred from the scene.
The incident remains under investigation by the LAPD and LAFD. Authorities continue to seek reason as to why the tanker overturned and what caused the fire to erupt.
RELATED:
Tanker Carrying Thousands Of Gallons Of Fuel Overturns, Catches Fire In Boyle Heights
