Two people were being treated for injuries after an industrial incident involving an asphalt tanker truck Monday, May 5, the Amarillo Fire Department confirmed Wednesday.
AFD said crews responded around 2:30 p.m. to a reported structure fire and injuries at 9200 Triangle Drive. Crews found no visible fire at the site, but they were were directed to a commercial shop in the rear yard. There, they found two individuals who suffered injuries from a possible overpressure flashover during maintenance on an asphalt tanker truck.
AFD units from Station 7 and Ladder 7 provided advanced life support and assisted with patient care, AFD said. One of the injured was taken by Amarillo Medical Services to Northwest Texas Hospital, with two AFD personnel accompanying them to assist during transit.
AFD said both individuals suffered injuries “consistent with an explosion. One victim was reportedly thrown from the top of the tanker and sustained facial trauma and a suspected arm injury. The second victim was assessed on-site and also transported for medical care.”
No fire loss to property or contents was reported, as the incident involved a flashover rather than a fire and was confined to maintenance activities on a vehicle.
After the Amarillo Fire Marshal’s Office investigated the scene, the incident was deemed unintentional, caused by heat and gas buildup inside the tanker during vent-clearing operations. No criminal activity was suspected.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: AFD: 2 found with injuries ‘consistent with an explosion’ at Amarillo industrial site
Reporting by Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
