What to Know
- An 18-wheeler carrying 34,000 pounds of an extremely flammable chemical somehow flipped over in a Connecticut industrial park
- There were no signs of leaks, but a multi-block area was evacuated as a precaution as crews worked to upright the tanker
- The chemical was Methyl Methacrylate; no injuries have been reported
An 18-wheeler carrying 34,000 pounds of an extremely flammable chemical somehow flipped over in a Connecticut industrial park Monday, forcing authorities to evacuate a multiple-block area and set up a safe zone, officials say.
Hazmat crews and other emergency officials responding to a 911 call shortly after 8 a.m. found the tanker truck, which had been carrying Methyl Methacrylate, on its side in the back of a lot on Fairfield Avenue in Stamford.
Given the flammable nature of the chemical, Stamford Fire Department units established an initial safe zone, which was later expanded to 1,000 feet in all directions from the scene of the truck flip.
The driver of the truck was not hurt, nor was anyone in the immediate area reported to be sick or injured. A tow truck was sent to upright the tanker. In the meantime, anybody within the area was ordered to leave as a safety precaution.
The multiple-block area of evacuation included most of Sunnyside Avenue, Liberty Place, Taff Avenue and Fairfield Avenue. It's not clear how many residents were affected. The evacuation order was lifted shortly before 3 p.m., but Fairfield Avenue remained closed for cleanup.
No injuries were reported.
