NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (LEX 18) — Emergency crews were responding early Wednesday afternoon to an overturned tanker truck in downtown Nicholasville that was spilling gasoline.
According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the incident happened at U.S. Highway 27 and Main Street.
The road was closed for several hours. All lanes are now open.
Officials said the tanker was spilling gas and diesel. The fire marshal said that about 8,000 gallons of both gasoline and diesel were on the truck and that about 100 of those gallons leaked out. Crews contained the leak, working fast because underneath the area was a sewer line. They wanted to make sure the spill didn’t spread.
Crews had to drill into the overturned truck and vacuum the gas and diesel out.
Traffic-wise, it was a nightmare, but the fire marshal said that this truck could have easily caught fire. Their biggest concern was the possibility of an explosion.
The driver was treated and released. He is expected to be okay.
Just found out the truck has both diesel and gasoline inside. About 8,000 gallons total.
Firefighters say the truck has multiple tanks inside. They say it’s stable right now but it could blow up. That’s why they want people to avoid this area. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/PGVyP4X2KR
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) December 12, 2018
