Overturned tanker causes closure of Del Prado Extension, evacuation of homes early Sunday
A fuel tanker overturned on the Del Prado Boulevard extension early Sunday morning, leading officials to close the roadway for several hours and evacuate nearby homes after leaking fuel caught fire.
The Cape Coral Fire Department received the initial call to the crash between Averill Boulevard and DeNavarra Parkway at 4:07 a.m.
“Arriving crews found a tractor trailer fuel truck on its side in the median between the north and southbound lanes, leaking fuel,” a release from the CCFD states. “The driver of the truck suffered minor injuries and was treated and transported to the hospital by Lee County EMS.”
Meanwhile, “to mitigate the hazards of the almost 9000 gallons of fuel that is leaking from the truck, the CCFD placed containment booms in the gully in the median where the truck had overturned as well as covering the storm water drains to prevent the fuel from absorbing into the ground and draining into the canals.”
Firefighters also used fire suppression foam and water to “blanket the gasoline vapors which are highly flammable,” officials said.
Despite efforts, the truck caught fire as it was being “deenergized” so remaining fuel could be drained. Public safety personnel evacuated homes within a 1000-meter radius as a precaution.
“While crews were working to deenergize the fuel tanker, a spark occurred and the truck caught fire,” the release states.
CCFD crews continued to use fire suppression foam and water to blanket the vapors so a followup effort to deenergize the tanker could be made.
Responding CCFD units included Engine 10, Engine 8, Engine 5, HazMat 8, Tender 5, Battalions 2 and 22, and Division Chief Steve Olson. Assisting agencies included the Cape Coral Police Department, which is conducting the crash investigation, Lee County EMS, Fort Myers Fire Department, the Department of Environmental Protection and DOT.
In addition, an offloading company to siphon the gasoline from the overturned tanker into another tanker and transport company to right the truck after all fuel has been emptied were called.
Sources: CCFD, CCPD