End update
A crash involving a fuel tanker resulted in a huge explosion early Tuesday morning in St. Petersburg.
According to St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, a fuel tanker and a utility truck collided just after midnight on westbound Gandy Boulevard at 4th Street North.
The tanker was carrying about 10,000 gallons of fuel when it exploded and caused a massive fire. Firefighters spent a few hours putting out the blaze.
Crews responded from Pinellas Park, Largo, Seminole, St. Petersburg and the St. Pete airport. The airport responders came with a truck to spray foam on the fire.
According to Dept. Fire Marshal with St. Pete and Rescue, 17 units responded to handle the fire that spread over 200 to 300 yards around the crash scene. “It was pretty catastrophic,” he said. “One initial units were called to the scene, additional units had to be called.”
Police are not identifying the driver of the tanker has not been identified. He has been flown to Tampa General with second and third degree burns over 60 percent of his body. His condition is unknown. The driver of the utility truck suffered fractures and lacerations and was taken to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.
Traffic will be redirected around the scene until it’s all clear.
The St. Petersburg Police Department is asking morning commuters to avoid the area of Gandy Boulevard and Roosevelt Boulevard as they continue to clean up. It’s anticipated that the intersection will be closed for several hours due to the accident.
Currently, police say, westbound traffic on Gandy Blvd. is being diverted north on Roosevelt Blvd. Southbound traffic on Roosevelt is being diverted south on Dr. ML King Street.
