18 Wheeler Tractor-Trailer crashes and causes explosion and burns nearby residence in Quemado, Texas
By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016
An 18 Wheeler Tractor-Trailer transporting explosive materials crashed and burst into flames, exploding on U.S. Highway 277 North in Quemado, Texas during the early morning hours of Monday, August 22, 2016, approximately at 2 A.M., causing a nearby residence to catch on fire and burn down to the ground, reported citizens of Quemado, Texas.
A Quemadoan citizen reported being waken-up from their sleep by a loud explosion noise near their residence and rushed out to investigate the source of the loud noise and found an 18 Wheeler Tractor-Trailer on fire with debris thrown all over U.S. Highway 277 North and community of Quemado, including a local residence which caught on fire from the explosion debris and burned to the ground.
In addition, an automobile sedan traveling on U.S. Highway 277 North during the explosion was showered with materials and debris, injuring the driver and a passenger.
The citizens of Quemado reported that the loud explosion of the 18 Wheeler Tractor-Trailer shook and rattled the windows of the many homes in Quemado, awakening the residents.
Three people are known to have been injured in the explosion and transported to Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center in Eagle Pass for emergency medical services. The three people were transported to a San Antonio, Texas medical hospital for specialized treatment. The driver of the automobile sedan and a passenger were injured and the passenger of the 18 Wheeler was also injured. A fourth person may have been inside the residence at the moment of the explosion and fire, but it has not been confirmed.
The driver of the 18 Wheeler Tractor-Trailer and a passenger were able to exit and run for safety after the crash but before the explosive cargo began to burn and explode. However, the passenger was seriously injured.
The 18 Wheeler Tractor-Trailer was traveling from Del Rio to Eagle Pass and carrying a load of air-bag gas cylinders, which is believed to have caused the explosion upon burning.
The Maverick County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and Eagle Pass Fire Department responded to the incident. The matter is under investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Traffic on U.S. Highway 277 North between Eagle Pass and Del Rio has been temporarily closed and travelers are deviated to Loop 1664 in and around Quemado to U.S. 277 North to Del Rio.
