Across America: Tanker crash shuts down highway in Louisiana
18-wheeler rear-ended fuel truck in Baton Rouge
BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana authorities plan to evacuate an area near Interstate 10 where a tanker carrying flammable isobutane crashed in order to perform a controlled "vent and burn" of the chemical.
The Advocate reports (http://bit.ly/P1atZ6 ) that the evacuation will begin after 10 p.m. CST Wednesday.
Louisiana State Police Col. Mike Edmonson said authorities will attempt to blow two holes in the tank, ignite the isobutane and conduct a controlled burn. The truck was carrying 8,700 gallons of the chemical.
Police said the accident happened when a car flipped early Wednesday morning after the driver lost control and hit a retaining wall. A tanker truck stopped for the accident and was rear-ended by another 18-wheeler.
Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesman Barry Mounce said the evacuation area will be a few hundred yards around the accident site. Shelters are being set up for evacuees.
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