2,800 gallons spill from tanker truck in Highway 32 accident
06/01/2013
BUTTE MEADOWS — More than 2,800 gallons of petroleum products were spilled in the tanker accident Friday evening on Highway 32, Cal Fire/Butte County reported today.
Another 5,800 gallons were successfully transferred to another fuel truck.
The accident happened about 7:30 p.m. at the Butte-Tehama county line, just east of the Butte Meadows turnoff.
The double-trailer tanker truck rolled onto its side. The truck and both trailers leaked, sending a mixture of diesel, gasoline and "mid-range fuel" flowing toward Big Chico Creek, according to radio traffic from the incident commander.
The driver was not injured in the crash.
The accident was classified as a top-level hazardous material spill, and hazmat technicians were summoned to the scene.
All told 25 people responded, with four engines and two water tankers. Cal Fire reported its last engine didn't return to quarters until 4:45 a.m. today.
Highway 32 was closed overnight because of the crash.
The accident was just across the Tehama County line, but was handled by Cal Fire-Butte County, which has better access to the location.
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