5/9/13 - Susquehanna Township, PA - Interstate 81 & Route 322

Shortly before 0630 hours Harrisburg City Box 1-3 sent Wagon 3, Tower 2, and Captain 4 (Wise) to Interstate 81 northbound at the Route 322 Westbound exit ramp for an overturned tanker truck. The driver of the truck was able to self-extricate before the truck burst into flames. Additional units from Company 32 (Progress) and 37 (Rescue) from Susquehanna Township and Tanker 35 (Linglestown) were summoned to the scene. Dauphin County Haz Mat and PennDot officials also responded to the location. The overturned tanker, carrying a full load of diesel fuel, was well involved sending a large plume of smoke over the busy I-81 and Route 322 interchange just as the morning commute traffic was starting to pick up. Firefighters set up on the elevated ramp at a safe distance and stretched lines to make an attack on the fire. A request was made for a dedicated foam unit but cancelled and foam from Squad 8 used for mop-up. Several additional tankers were requested and a fill site established for water supply. The bulk of the fire started to diminish in about 45 minutes and crews were able to move in a fully extinguish the flames. Interstate 81 was shut down in both directions creating a traffic nightmare in the Harrisburg Metro area. The ramp in which the truck overturned and the Route 22 ramp overhead which possibly was structurally compromised will be closed for an extended period of time.