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Gasoline Tanker Overturns, Spills Fuel Near Port Of Tampa

Firefighters are using foam to spray down the site of the overturned tanker.

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Tampa Tribune Staff Report

Published: November 23, 2007

Updated: 11/23/2007 04:05 pm

TAMPA - A tanker carrying about 8,800 gallons of gasoline has overturned outside the Port of Tampa, and gas is leaking into the Bay, according to Tampa Fire Rescue.

The fully-loaded tanker from Florida Rock & Tank Lines overturned at 12:30 p.m. today at 20th Street and Maritime Boulevard. The driver, Oliver Pina of Lakeland, was rushed to Tampa General Hospital with minor injuries and is in good condition, Tampa Fire Rescue Capt. Bill Wade said.

Traffic is expected to be diverted away from the intersection until possibly 6 p.m., Wade said. No evacuation has been ordered, but officials are reserving the right to call for one, Wade said. If so, it will only go as far as Hemlock Street, about a block away.

A worst-case scenario would be for the fuel to ignite, Wade said. That's why firefighters are spraying foam onto the fuel. The soap-like bubbles help keep fuel vapors inhibited.

Another tanker will be brought to the site and fuel that remained in the damaged vehicle will be siphoned into the empty tanker, Wade said.

Residents need not be concerned about drinking water or sewer systems, Wade said, because most of the gasoline is leaking into a storm drain, which goes into a retention pond and out into the Bay.

Wade said police told him the driver would be ticketed for driving "too fast for conditions." Witnesses saw the driver driving up Maritime and making a left onto 20th Street when the tanker overturned.

A private clean-up contractor has placed floating booms on the Bay to keep the gasoline, which floats on water, from spreading, Wade said. The contractor will skim the fuel off using a siphoning pump.

Wade said contaminated soil will need to be to be excavated, possibly tomorrow.

"Right now, the major concern is environmental," he said.

Reporter Mike Wells can be reached at (813) 259-7839 or mwells@tampatrib.com.

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