Propane tanker crash leads to fire, road closures, and evacuations in Vermont
Vermont (WRGB) -- A fiery crash closed several routes and multiple schools Monday morning when a propane tanker truck went off a bridge in Irasburg. According to police as of 11 a.m., multiple roads were still closed, with evacuations taking place in Irasburg and Coventry after a propane tanker crash, which caused a fire Monday morning. Police said the propane tanker went off the Vermont Route 14 bridge over the Black River in Irasburg Monday morning at 6:50 a.m. and caught fire.
The fire was still burning as of 10:30 a.m., according to police and safety mechanisms were damaged in the crash, increasing the possibility of an explosion "instead of controlled off-gassing of the propane." The Vermont Hazardous Materials Response Team was called in, as well as an expert from Concord, New Hampshire. No injuries have been reported, police said.
The multiple road closures include:
- Route 14 in Irasburg.
- Route 58 in Irasburg.
- Alderbrook Road and Route 14 in Coventry.
- Route 5 and Route 14 in Coventry.
A one-mile perimeter around the site of the crash has been established, with fire departments conducting evacuations within the radius, including the Coventry Village School and the New Hope Bible School, which dismissed children early to go home. Police said, road closures are expected to continue for a significant time and drivers should avoid the area and seek alternate routes. The crash is being investigated by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement and Safety Division.
The Vermont State Police will release additional information about safety and closures as the situation develops.