Disaster averted after gasoline tanker catches fire

A gasoline tanker caught fire Saturday near Florence, but tragedy was averted because it was detected before fire spread from a rear tire,

Passing motorists informed dispatchers of flames coming from the semi-trailer tanker truck as it was still moving.

After several tense moments, the driver apparently was alerted to the fire and pulled over at Flying Eagle Truck Stop in Florence.

Florence firefighters spent seven minutes extinguishing the burning tire. Marion and Peabody firefighters were dispatched because of the danger that the entire tanker could ignite but were told to disregard the call before most of them arrived.

Although the mistake did not play a role in the situation, dispatchers gave the other fire departments and ambulance a wrong address 10 miles from where the truck was.

Undersheriff Larry Starkey said the truck, owned by Flying J Corp., was moved across the highway to Kansas Department of Transportation property, where the burned tire was replaced.