A Killeen pumper was destroyed after an SUV crashed into a tanker early Friday morning.
An initial investigation revealed that the SUV crashed into the gas tanker that was filling a tank at Mickey’s Convenience Store around 4:20 a.m.
Firefighters were responding to a reported trailer fire when saw the crash with bystanders pulling the tanker's from the scene, according to the Killeen Daily Herald. The truck had approximately 2,600 gallons of fuel on board.
They began attacking the fire while police started evacuating nearby apartments.
“It was around probably 4:45 when the police came through the apartment complex,” Hosea Ryce told the newspaper. “I didn’t hear it because I was knocked out, but my wife tapped me, and I hear all this yelling going on, so I’m kind of confused like what’s going on."
Interim Fire Chief Kenneth Hawthorne said fuel from the burning truck was running toward the pumper.
“Fortunately, it blew up and out,' Hawthorne said.
The 2012 Spartan pumper, valued at $800,000, was destroyed by the fire.
The fire spread into the convenience store and firefighters rescued three workers from the building, according to to the Killeen Professional Fire Fighters' Association.
Firefighters also worked to protect a nearby auto repair shop from the radiant heat.
Fire trucks from Fort Hood also responded to the scene.
Dozens of residents from the apartments were displaced after fire destroyed a utility power that powered the complex. Nearby traffic signals were also damaged by the fire.
