Danger Of Diesel Fuel Leak From Overturned Truck In Riverview Thwarted By Hazard Experts

RIVERVIEW, FL — Drivers along U.S. 301 at Bloomingdale Avenue were greeted with a mess Thursday morning when a semi truck hauling gravel overturned, spilling its load across the road.

The accident occurred just after 9 a.m. While there were no injuries, Hillsborough County fire rescue crews discovered a slow diesel leak coming from the truck's saddle tank, and the truck driver told firefighters that he had just put 100 gallons of diesel fuel in the truck.

Engine 37 applied absorbent to the road to soak up what leaked and called the Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Hazardous Incidents Team, which unsuccessfully attempted to plug the leak with plug putty.

Technicians then drilled a hole in the tank and pumped the diesel fuel into barrels while taking precautions, including donning protective gear and putting a charged dry chemical extinguisher on standby, in case sparks from the drilling caused an explosion.

The hazardous incidents team was able to drain and dispose of all the fuel.