Propane Tanker Leak Snarls Traffic

A tanker truck leaking propane led to evacuations from several businesses and diverted midday traffic along Frederick Road in Rockville on Wednesday, a county fire and rescue service spokesman said.

A hazardous materials unit responded to a call at about 11:30 a.m. from the College Plaza Exxon at 15211 Frederick Road, said Capt. Oscar Garcia, a spokesman with the county fire and rescue service. Fire and rescue personnel determined that the leak was coming from a damaged valve on a propane truck's 500-gallon tank, Garcia said.

The gas station and two nearby businesses were evacuated and traffic was diverted for about a half-hour in both directions on Frederick Road (Route 355) at Gude Drive, he said. No injuries were reported.

The leak was contained and Frederick Road was reopened around 12:10 p.m., but traffic remained slow in the area, Garcia said.