31/12/10 - Massive fire as petrol tanker overturns and ignites
Published: 31st December 2010
Today, the NSWFB processed 1029 reports of incidents across the state. Highlights include:Today firefighters responded to a serious incident involving a petrol tanker containing 40,000 litres of petrol which overturned and ignited on the Pacific Highway at Tintenbar. Crews were assisted by RFS firefighters who provided water during the extensive operation. The twin tanked vehicle quickly became fully involved and firefighters wore breathing equipment and applied foam to bring the fire under control. However, a large amount of fuel leaked from one of the torn tankers and created a secondary massive fire in a nearby swamp area adjacent to the roadway. It was considered too dangerous to attack this fire and it was allowed to burn itself out over several hours. The Highway was closed all day due to extensive road damage caused by the intense fire. The driver was unfortunately killed in the incident. The accident and fire caused the collapse of power cables at the site which fell across a vehicle trapping two people inside their vehicle. They were rescued safely without injury.
Fire crews today also extinguished five residential fires at Ingleburn, Surry Hills, Blacktown, Jannali and Lake Haven.
A quick response by six fire crews contained a serious fire in a furniture shop at Parramatta which threatened to spread through a row of connected shops.
Firefighters also extinguished a grass fire at Cardiff.
Fire Rescue officers responded to a Hazmat incident at Penrith and a gas leak at Mortdale.
Today Fire Rescue officers responded to 29 motor vehicle incidents across NSW including serious incidents at Bargo and Wahroonga.