Photo: Douglas Sacha / Moment / Getty Images
A tractor-trailer carrying compressed natural gas caught fire on Tuesday (January 6) on the New York State Thruway in Montgomery County, prompting evacuations within a one-mile radius. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call at 9:02 a.m. from the truck driver, who reported the fire while traveling eastbound. Officials suspect a brake issue in the rear of the truck may have caused the fire due to friction.
Emergency responders, including local law enforcement and fire departments, quickly arrived at the scene. The sheriff's office, along with the New York State Police, issued evacuation alerts through various platforms, including Hyper-Reach and social media, and conducted door-to-door notifications to ensure residents' safety. Approximately 165 residents were evacuated, and schools in the area provided shelters for those affected.
The fire was under control by 11:00 a.m., although the Thruway remained closed for further operations. Sheriff Jeffery T. Smith praised the professionalism and preparedness of all agencies involved in the response.
The truck, owned by Xpress Natural Gas, had undergone service earlier that day. The company stated that the trailer's safety systems activated as designed, alleviating pressure through a controlled release. They are working with the fire department to determine the exact cause of the incident. No injuries were reported.