WASHINGTON CITY — A broken drive line punctured the fuel tank of a semitractor-trailer on Interstate 15 near mile marker 11 Wednesday, causing fuel to spew out onto the Interstate until emergency workers stopped and diverted the flow away from nearby Washington County Warm Springs, also known as the Boilers.
Just after 4:30 p.m. emergency personnel were dispatched to mile marker 11 on Interstate 15 southbound, after the St. George Communications Center received report of “gas” – fuel – leaking from a semitrailer.
When officers arrived, Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Larry Mowers said, they found the semi pulled off to the side of the freeway with the fuel leaking from one of the tanks of the truck located on the passenger side.
The leak was caused by a drive line that fractured while the truck was in motion, sending metal through the fuel tank and puncturing it.
The damage left a rupture that allowed diesel fuel to spray from the tank onto the Interstate, initiating the call to 911.
Emergency personnel also responded and attempted to contain the leaking fuel, with attention given to keeping it from draining into the nearby Washington Warm Springs, also known as the Boilers, a unique nature sanctuary.
Officers also requested a hazardous materials cleanup as a safety precaution, Mowers said. However, after assessing the amount of fuel that actually leaked it was determined that it wasn’t warranted.
Instead, the local Water Services Department responded and assisted by digging a small trench, which channeled the leaking fuel away from nearby water sources, he said.
Meanwhile, a bulldozer was dispatched to the area and completed the containment, while emergency personnel finished clearing the roadway.
The semitractor-trailer was rendered inoperable after the breakage and subsequent leak, and was towed from the freeway.
No injuries were reported.
The Utah Highway Patrol, Washington Fire Department, Utah Department of Transportation Incident Management Team, and the local Water Services Department responded to the scene.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Ed. CORRECTION April 22: This report initially referred to the leaking fuel and its tank as gasoline and gas; semitractor-trailers use diesel fuel and the characterization has been revised throughout the story and headline.
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Washington Fire and St. George Water Services crews respond to Interstate 15 on a fuel leak involving a semitrailer with a fractured fuel tank, Washington, Utah, April 20, 2016| Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Fuel tank leaking fuel after rupturing from semitrailer's drive line breakage, Interstate 15 near mile marker 15, Washington County, Utah, April 20 2016| Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Washington City Fire Department was among those agencies responding to a fuel leak from a semitrailer with a fractured fuel tank, Interstate 15 near mile marker 11, Washington County, Utah, April 20, 2016| Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Crews from several agencies respond to address a fuel leak from a semitrailer with a fractured fuel tank on Interstate 15 near mile marker 11, Washington County, Utah, April 20, 2016| Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Washington City Fire Department responds to address a fuel leak from a semitrailer with a fractured fuel tank on Interstate 15 near mile marker 11, Washington County, Utah, April 20, 2016| Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Utah Highway Patrol responds to semitrailer that ruptured its fuel tank, leaking fuel on Interstate 15 near mile marker 11, Washington County, Utah, April 20, 2016| Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Crews from several agencies respond to address a fuel leak from a semitrailer with a fractured fuel tank on Interstate 15 near mile marker 11, Washington County, Utah, April 20, 2016| Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News
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Just a small thing: tractor/trailers don’t have gas or gas tanks. Diesel, yes; occasionally propane—which can be a liquid or a gas.
Small things matter, St. G. So I thank you and have revised the report with this editor’s note: CORRECTION April 22: This report initially referred to the leaking fuel and its tank as gasoline and gas; semitractor-trailers use diesel fuel and the characterization has been revised throughout the story and headline.
ST. GEORGE NEWS
Joyce Kuzmanic
Editor in Chief
Gasoline? Uh no, more like diesel fuel. Big difference in both the fire/explosion hazard and environmental hazard…
Yes, Proud Reb, I have revised the report with this editor’s note: CORRECTION April 22: This report initially referred to the leaking fuel and its tank as gasoline and gas; semitractor-trailers use diesel fuel and the characterization has been revised throughout the story and headline.
ST. GEORGE NEWS
Joyce Kuzmanic
Editor in Chief
I hate when my diesel leaks “gas” everywhere!!!! It is just the worst 🙁
Isn’t it the worst, Mr. W? So are mischaracterizations. I have revised the report with this editor’s note: CORRECTION April 22: This report initially referred to the leaking fuel and its tank as gasoline and gas; semitractor-trailers use diesel fuel and the characterization has been revised throughout the story and headline.
Thank you!
ST. GEORGE NEWS
Joyce Kuzmanic
Editor in Chief
looks like to me that is Diesel not Gasoline.
Yes, yes, Shane. Thank you – I have revised the report with this editor’s note: CORRECTION April 22: This report initially referred to the leaking fuel and its tank as gasoline and gas; semitractor-trailers use diesel fuel and the characterization has been revised throughout the story and headline.
ST. GEORGE NEWS
Joyce Kuzmanic
Editor in Chief
Semi’s run on diesel fule, not gasoline.
They do, Ronnie, they do. I have revised the report with this editor’s note: CORRECTION April 22: This report initially referred to the leaking fuel and its tank as gasoline and gas; semitractor-trailers use diesel fuel and the characterization has been revised throughout the story and headline.
ST. GEORGE NEWS
Joyce Kuzmanic
Editor in Chief
So….they just stood around and watched it leak out? Is there a reason why no attempt appeared to be made to collect leaking fluid in some kind of container or is it better to just let it soak into the ground?
Semi’so run on tires not diesel. Semi’so run off of diesel and run on tires
You must be using the same Google Translate program the other woman used earlier.
Is “semi’so'” a word you use often in your house?
Did you go Nell on us, dotboy?