An SUV driver has been blamed for a tanker truck collision that resulted in an intense fire that burned for hours today in Belgrade, Maine.
Both the truck driver and the 74-year-old driver of the SUV received minor injuries. State police report that the SUV pulled out in front of the truck at an intersection along Route 27. The force of the impact overturned the tanker. The driver was pulled from the truck just as it caught fire. The SUV driver was cited for careless driving.
Fire officials let the truck burn for hours to help prevent roughly 9,500 gallons of diesel, gasoline and heating oil from seeping into the ground, according to wgme.com. Witnesses reported hearing explosions and seeing flames and smoke for miles around. The intense heat of the fire melted the side of a post office nearby.
SUV, oil tanker crash in Belgrade causes fire https://t.co/MgVEXn1CJA
— Boston Globe Metro (@GlobeMetro) January 2, 2019
Belgrade, ME *HAZMAT/FIRE/EXPLOSION* 990 Agusta Rd (Rte 27/8) – MVA involving an overturned tanker truck with approximately 9,500 gallons of #2 home heating oil, heavy fire and explosions reported, multiple mutual aid to the scene, special request for a … https://t.co/V3sBcIxumD pic.twitter.com/JxmjqgMZge
— Kempter's Fire Wire (@KempterFireWire) January 2, 2019
We’ve made it to the scene in Belgrade. Fire still going strong. County EMA tells us that officials are meeting right now to figure out the next steps. #LiveOnCBS13 pic.twitter.com/KDye7U6aL5
— Dan Lampariello (@DanWGME) January 2, 2019
