Burning Gasoline Tanker Prompts Evacuations In Richmond Saturday

A gasoline tanker with 8,500 gallons of fuel aboard was cordoned off and people in the immediate vicinity evacuated after it caught fire at Hilltop Drive and I-80 in Richmond Saturday.

Firefighters poured foam on the tanker after fire was spotted burning just behind the cab following a multi-vehicle collision and additional resources were called upon as flames began to spread.

I-80 was closed in both directions at Hilltop as firefighters and police evacuated residents from adjacent neighborhoods as the fire began to build. Eventually, a Shelter In Place Order was issued as the fire was burned itself out and firefighter’s attention shifted to containing the environmental impact of spilled fuel.

Although there were reports of injuries resulting from the initial crash the driver of the tanker truck appeared to have escaped without injury.