A 5000-gallon oil tanker has burst into flames in Texas, triggering an evacuation of nearby residents.
Video of the incident shows fire crews battling the massive fire as thick black plumes of smoke fill the sky.
The tanker appeared to suffer a small fire which ignited the diesel it was carrying while traveling through DeSoto, a Dallas suburb.
The incident occurred at the intersection of South Cockrell Hill and West Parkerville roads, Fox Dallas reported.
Emergency officials have asked nearby residents to evacuate due to the fear of a possible further explosion.
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The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The city says the truck was carrying diesel fuel.
At this time, there is no word on any injuries.
One witness said the smoke from the fire was so intense that they could see it from “30 miles away.”
I can actually see the smoke…I'm 30 miles away.
— Jon Schaeffer (@jontxpp) June 7, 2024
The driver told fire officials that she noticed smoke coming out of the engine compartment while she was sitting at a red light.
The blaze from the engine appeared to then trigger a much larger fire in the tank.
“Due to the fuel that was on fire, we basically had to let it burn,” said DeSoto Fire Chief Bryan Southard.
Duncanville, Cedar Hill, and Dallas fire departments were called in to help after DeSoto crews ran out of foam.
The city says the truck was carrying diesel fuel.
DeSoto police say the driver was not injured.
Officials say residents were told about the evacuation through calls and texts using a reverse 911 call.
Chief Southard says he expects it will take the rest of the day to clean up.
