‘Scary day’: Driver of gas tanker killed when vehicle explodes on Maryland road

FREDERICK, Md. — A gas tanker traveling on a Maryland highway ignited and exploded after overturning on Saturday, killing the driver, authorities said.

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According to the Maryland State Police, the incident occurred at about noon EST on U.S. in Frederick, WBAL-TV reported.

Officials said the Sheetz gas tanker overturned between the 7th Street and Rosemont Avenue exits, hit a tree and then exploded, The Frederick News-Post reported. The ensuing fire spread to homes on nearby Apple Avenue.

Update 3:53 p.m. EST March 4: Frederick County Fire Chief Tom Coe said all hazardous materials from the spill were contained before they reached Carroll Creek in Frederick, The Frederick News-Post reported. He added that about 8,650 gallons of fuel were involved. Coe said the liquid was flammable but did not identify it.

Bradd Hammond, who lives on Apple Avenue, told the newspaper that he was sitting in his kitchen with his three roommates when he heard a loud noise.

“I thought a truck hit the house,” Hammond told the News-Post.

Coe told reporters that one home that runs parallel to U.S. 15 had “extensive damage” that made it uninhabitable. He added that two other homes had minor damage and three vehicles were also damaged.

Update 3:28 p.m. EST March 4: According to the Frederick County Division of Fire & Rescue, there was no risk to the general public.

“This is a scary day,” Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor said during a news conference.

Original report: Flames and smoke billowed into the air after the tanker exploded, Ron Snyder, public information officer for the Maryland State Police, told CNN.

According to the Maryland Department of Transportation, all lanes of U.S. 15 were closed in the area, WRC-TV reported.

Authorities said fuel flowed from the tanker onto Apple Avenue toward the intersection of Second Street and Rosemont Avenue, the News-Post reported.

There were fires on both sides of Rosemont Avenue just under the overpass, according to the newspaper.

Flames and smoke billowed into the air after the tanker exploded on US Route 15 in Maryland, according to Ron Snyder, public information officer for Maryland State Police (MDSP).