Houston, Texas faced a heartbreaking scene on Saturday morning after an 18-wheeler gasoline tanker carrying nearly 8,800 gallons of fuel caught fire on the roadway.
The Houston Fire Department confirmed that emergency crews rushed to the blaze around 9:15 a.m. The tanker was fully engulfed, creating a towering inferno visible from miles away.
Tragically, the driver of the tanker was found deceased at the scene. No other vehicles were involved in the accident, but the scale of the fire posed a massive challenge to first responders.
One firefighter was transported to a nearby hospital after suffering from heat exhaustion while battling the flames. Fortunately, officials report that he is expected to recover.
The fire has since been contained, but the emotional impact on the city remains. Witnesses described the sound of explosions and the overwhelming heat as “something you’ll never forget.”
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the dangers that truck drivers and first responders face every day to keep our communities running safely.