Flipped Tanker Truck Explodes in San Diego
June 28th, 2010 | 
Author: SAN DIEGO, CA – A fuel tanker truck flipped over and exploded into flames Wednesday evening, June 16, on a street in San Diego County, California. The truck accident occurred on Palm Avenue just east of Interstate 805 in San Diego’s Otay Mesa region, and forced authorities to shut down several roads in the vicinity. The area is in the southwest section of the state, about 121 miles south of Los Angeles, CA and about 18 miles north of Tijuana, Mexico.
The fire burned for over an hour creating black plumes of smoke which could be seen for miles.
At around 5:45 p.m. Wednesday evening an ARCO double tanker truck was traveling on Palm Avenue just east of Interstate 805. The semi tanker truck was carrying about 8,700 gallons of gasoline split between the two tankers. The tanker is owned by BP (British Petroleum) and was reportedly transporting fuel to a local ARCO station.
When the truck driver reached the intersection of Palm Avenue and Dennery Road he attempted to make a left hand turn onto Dennery. The driver may have been going too fast as he negotiated the turn and the back tanker on the truck flipped over onto its side. The impact of the rollover truck accident damaged the tanker and it exploded into flames. The front tanker on the truck was able to remain upright.
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The tanker truck fire burned for over an hour creating black plumes of smoke which could be seen for miles. Some of the gasoline spilled into nearby storm drains which created several underground explosions and smoke which seeped from the drains. Several roads in the vicinity of the truck accident were closed down. A shopping mall and other businesses were evacuated, leaving thousands of people stranded.
Fire authorities decided to allow the fuel fire in the back tank to burn out while they poured water on the front tank so it would not explode. According to the fire department spokesperson letting a fuel fire burn out is the safest action for the environment because they avoid adding flame reduction chemicals and other materials. These materials create a residue which can be toxic and has to be cleaned off any surfaces.
The truck accident melted the topcoat of a section of the road but officials said it was still safe for traffic. The fire also damaged nearby cars, sidewalks, curbs, gutter and storm drains as well as leaving some bushes and trees singed. According to the deputy director of San Diego’s street division the owners of the tanker, BP, will be held responsible for any repair work and for the cost of clean-up and responders to the truck accident.
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San Diego officers investigating the truck accident believe that the driver may have been going too fast as he made the turn, which made the fuel in the tank move to one side. This threw the truck off balance and likely was the reason it flipped over.
No charges have been brought at this time and the accident remains under investigation by the Department of Transportation.
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