A little after 4 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4, the LBFD was dispatched to an overturned tanker truck at Paramount Blvd. and the on-ramp to the Westbound 91 Freeway.
Crews noticed the tanker-trailer was on its side and leaking a fair amount of fuel. It was later estimated to have been leaking at a rate of about 25 gallons per minute. Additional resources were called to the scene, including the hazmat task force and additional engine companies for manpower.
A total of 47 firefighters responded to this incident; 38 from Long Beach and 9 from our Vernon and Santa Fe Springs Fire Departments. They also provided hazmat teams.
Initial emergency operations focused on protecting life safety, containing the leaking fuel, controling the leak and eliminating ignition sources. Water supply was established and a foam blanket was put down to control vapors. This foam blanket was maintained throughout the incident.
Once the incident became stabilized, hazmat operations were initiated. This included air monitoring, environmental monitoring and preparing for a “Stinger” operation. This operation is used to access the leaking product and place a recovery tube into the tank to off-load the product prior to up-righting the rolled over tanker.
Hazmat technicians entered the exclusion zone and began procedures to off-load the diesel. This included stabilizing the rolled over tank, grounding and bonding the tank. After this was completed, they accessed the remaining fuel in the tank by drilling two four-inch holes in the aluminum skin of the rolled tank.
A pump off truck was then placed in a position to receive the remaining product. A vacuum truck was also on scene to recover the spilled fuel and foam mixture.
No injuries were reported. A total of 2,600 gallons of diesel fuel were recovered from the rolled over tank during the off-loading process.
In addition, 1,400 gallons of leaking diesel fuel and water/foam mixture were recovered from the containment area. About 500 gallons of diesel fuel were estimated to have entered the storm drain system. This estimate is on the high end.
The fuel was stopped at Artesia and the railroad tracks west of Paramount Blvd.
