Texas: A major fire broke out after a petrol tanker collided with another vehicle in Texas, leaving the truck driver with severe injuries and triggering an intense emergency response early Monday.
According to the Fort Worth Fire Department, the 18-wheeler was carrying nearly 9,000 gallons of fuel when it lost control near a petrol station, causing a spill that quickly escalated into a blaze. The impact also brought down nearby power lines, which officials believe contributed to the ignition of the fire around 1 a.m.
Fire department spokesperson Craig Trojacek said the driver attempted to steer the vehicle away from a nearby Valero station to prevent a larger disaster, but the situation rapidly worsened as flames engulfed the tanker.
The driver sustained serious burn injuries and was rushed to a hospital, while no other casualties were reported.
Emergency crews battled the blaze for several hours, using large volumes of water to cool the tanker and sand to contain the spilled fuel. The scene was eventually brought under control and cleared by around 7 a.m.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash, as concerns remain over the risks posed by fuel transport incidents in densely populated areas.
