Fire Department

The trailer of a commercial straight truck came off its hitch while in transit, causing a significant gasoline leak on Old Sauk Road. Just after coming off its hitch, the trailer lurched forward, puncturing the gas tank of the GMC W3500 truck and leaving a hole about two inches wide in the bottom rear of the tank.

Engine Company 12 met up with the truck and its driver at the intersection of Old Sauk Road and Shawn Trail. Prior to Engine 12’s arrival, a majority of the gasoline had already spilled onto the roadway. Madison Police provided traffic control and kept vehicles out of the right lane as firefighters noted the downhill spill had not yet reached the nearby storm sewer.

The crew quickly placed an absorbent barrier on top of the sewer grate to protect the environment, and absorbent powder was also spread underneath the gas tank itself. Thanks to these measures, the majority of the fuel on the ground was contained and eventually evaporated.

Approximately 3-5 gallons of gasoline remained in the tank following the spill, and the tow company was notified they would need to siphon this fuel before removing the truck from the scene.