CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA — A tractor-trailer carrying a quantity of flammable liquid overturned on northbound Interstate 81 at mile marker 55.8 early in the morning, blocking all lanes and prompting a hazardous materials response and a closure of the interstate at Exit 52.
New Kingstown Fire Company dispatched Companies 33 and 31 at 4:50 a.m. Squad 33, staffed with seven personnel, responded. Chief 31 was told the driver was initially unable to get out of the vehicle and that the trailer held flammable liquid, so the Cumberland County Hazardous Materials Team duty officer was requested. The driver managed to exit the truck before crews arrived. Responders found all lanes blocked and heavy traffic congestion.
Cumberland County Public Safety activated a Traffic Unit Task Force and closed I-81 at Exit 52. At 5:43 a.m., the full Cumberland County Hazardous Materials Team was requested, with additional resources from Franklin County. Technicians inspected the contents of the trailer and determined it was safe.
By 9:55 a.m., wrecker crews had uprighted the tractor-trailer and moved it to a local trucking company for further evaluation by the Hazardous Materials Team.
Fire police and assisting agencies supported the response throughout. Fairview Township Rescue 68 also moved to Station 33 and responded to a townhouse fire in Upper Allen Township during the operation.
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