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Tanker Crash, Explosion in Florida

2 comments

A GASOLINE TANKER CARRYING 8,000 GALLONS OF PRODUCT CRASHED on northbound I-95 in Palm Beach, Florida, early Monday morning.  The wreck caused a fire that rapidly led to a bone-rattling explosion and left the truck in shambles.

The driver managed to escape the cab along with his two pet dogs just as the fire was starting, leaving him with some minor burns to his arms.  He says that he came up on disabled car that had been abandoned in the middle of the highway and tried unsuccessfully to avoid hitting it.

The crash occurred at 1:20 am and the fire was not knocked down until a foam unit from the nearby Palm Beach International Airport arrived.

WPTV Ch. 5 has a video report with some fire footage:

Posted by on June 22, 2009 • Filed under: fire
  • firetech1

    Judging by the red flame color and dark smoke the product was most likely unleaded with MTBE to increase octane or E10 (10% ethanol to increase octane).
    E85 motor fuel and E95 ethanol in transit for local blending to E85 both have brighter yellow flame front and virtually no dark smoke once the tractor cab, tires and diesel in the saddle tanks are consumed.

  • firetech1

    Judging by the red flame color and dark smoke the product was most likely unleaded with MTBE to increase octane or E10 (10% ethanol to increase octane).
    E85 motor fuel and E95 ethanol in transit for local blending to E85 both have brighter yellow flame front and virtually no dark smoke once the tractor cab, tires and diesel in the saddle tanks are consumed.