Cpt. Ron Bailey of the St. John's Regional Fire Department said they were able to get the fuel-fed fire under control in about 15 minute,s but not before the main fuel tank burst open, potentially spilling thousands of litres of fuel onto the ground and into nearby drains.
The fire was burning a few metres away from two massive propane storage tanks as well as several 500 pound tanks. Firefighters had to contend with streams of burning fuel pouring from the truck and used a full tank of firefighting foam to contain the blaze. A nearby storage shed was damaged also in the incident.
The whole side of the main tank was completely torn open in the direction of the massive propane storage tanks at the depot. Bailey said that while the nearby propane tanks were a concern, there was no imminent danger of them exploding. He added the tanks would have to be exposed to fire for a much longer amount of time before that happened.
Shortly after the fire was extinguished, a lone North Atlantic employee arrived on scene and deployed absorbent booms and material to try and contain the spilled fuel. Officials with the city of Mount Pearl and the provincial environment department were also called in to determine how much, if any, fuel had made into nearby storm drains and streams that feed into Power's Pond.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said while Environment Canada was called, it did not show up.
It’s unknown at this time exactly how much fuel has spilled, but police estimate there may have been 6,000 litres in the truck before the incident.
There's no word on the cause of the blaze. An investigation is underway.
Cpt. Ron Bailey of the St. John's Regional Fire Department said they were able to get the fuel-fed fire under control in about 15 minute,s but not before the main fuel tank burst open, potentially spilling thousands of litres of fuel onto the ground and into nearby drains.
The fire was burning a few metres away from two massive propane storage tanks as well as several 500 pound tanks. Firefighters had to contend with streams of burning fuel pouring from the truck and used a full tank of firefighting foam to contain the blaze. A nearby storage shed was damaged also in the incident.
The whole side of the main tank was completely torn open in the direction of the massive propane storage tanks at the depot. Bailey said that while the nearby propane tanks were a concern, there was no imminent danger of them exploding. He added the tanks would have to be exposed to fire for a much longer amount of time before that happened.
Shortly after the fire was extinguished, a lone North Atlantic employee arrived on scene and deployed absorbent booms and material to try and contain the spilled fuel. Officials with the city of Mount Pearl and the provincial environment department were also called in to determine how much, if any, fuel had made into nearby storm drains and streams that feed into Power's Pond.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said while Environment Canada was called, it did not show up.
It’s unknown at this time exactly how much fuel has spilled, but police estimate there may have been 6,000 litres in the truck before the incident.
There's no word on the cause of the blaze. An investigation is underway.
