News Details
Propane Tank Catches Fire on CSX Railroad Maintenance Truck
(Lawrenceville, Ga., June 30, 2015) – A fire from the relief valve of a truck mounted propane tank temporarily ceased rail operations and closed Winder Highway in Dacula during the mid-morning hours. Firefighters responded to the incident on Monday, June 30, 2015 at 10:03a.m. The situation was under control by 12:30p.m.
The fire erupted as CSX representatives were operating the vehicle on the tracks during maintenance work. The fire was contained to the propane tank and adjacent hydraulic equipment in the back of the truck. The truck sustained extensive damage to the tool compartments. The cab of the truck was not damaged and there was no damage reported to the train tracks. The fire appears accidental and was sparked when flames broke out in a hydraulic machine adjacent to the tank. According to Gwinnett Fire Investigators, It is believed that the hydraulic fire melted the relief valve on the propane tank and caused escaping gas vapors to readily ignite. “The fact that the escaping gas was burning itself off helped to minimize any immediate hazard,” said Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge.
Firefighters deployed a hose line on the ground in order to apply water on the tank to keep it cooled until the leak was stopped. Crews were challenged by access issues since the truck was located on the tracks in a remote wooded area. Firefighters chose to let the vapors burn in order to keep any escaping gas from hugging the ground and finding an ignition source away from the initial site. A slight vapor leak occurred as the valve line was clamped by hazmat technicians and the fire was extinguished. The leak was quickly mitigated by members of the Gwinnett Fire Hazardous Materials Response Team.
The maintenance truck was removed from the tracks and the roadway was reopened by 1p.m. Rail traffic resumed normal operations once the truck was off the tracks. There were no evacuations and no injuries reported as a result of the incident. The scene was turned over to CSX representatives. Georgia DOT was notified due to the temporary road closure. Gwinnett Police and the Dacula Marshal diverted traffic away from the incident until the situation was under control.
EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 2-Engines, 1-Medic Unit, 1-Squad, 1-Hazmat Unit, 1-Air & Light Unit, 1-rehab Unit, 1-Battalion Chief, 1-Fire Investigator and 1-PIO.