Tractor-trailer explosion forces home evacuation in N. Vermont town of Irasburg

Updated 9:40 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5.

Updated 1:20 p.m. Monday, Dec. 4.

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A major crash and explosion of a  tractor trailer carrying 10,000 gallons of liquid propane in the Northern Vermont town of Irasburg forced nearby residents in both Irasburg and Coventry out of their homes on Monday morning, according to Vermont State Police at the Derby Barracks.

No injuries have been reported, including to the driver of the tanker.

The fire continued to burn throughout Monday afternoon and would likely continue to burn until the propane has been exhausted, state police said late Monday.

Police added that inspection of the vehicle by drone revealed a puncture in the side of the gas tanker, significantly reducing the possibility of a catastrophic explosion.

According to State Police, at about 6:50 a.m. Monday, Dec. 4, the propane tanker went off the Vermont Route 14 bridge over the Black River in Irasburg and caught fire. The fire was still burning as of 10:30 a.m. Safety mechanisms in the vehicle were damaged in the crash, increasing the possibility of an explosion instead of controlled off-gassing of the propane.

According to the Irasburg Fire Department, residents within a mile of the accident are being evacuated.  Also, two schools inside this one-mile zone — the Coventry Village School and the New Hope Bible School — have dismissed children early to go home. The VT ALERT system has been activated to send public safety messages to people in the area.

According to state police, first responders were being pushed back from the scene “due to the potential for additional explosions in the area.”

Roads closed in the area are:

• Route 58 and 14 in Irasburg,
• Alderbrook Roard at Route 14 in Coventry and
• Route 5 and Route 14 at Royer’s Service Station in Coventry.

State police urged motorists to seek alternate routes, to drive slowly and to expect delays

The Vermont Hazardous Materials Response Team has been activated, and an expert is en route to the scene from Concord, N.H.

The crash of this commercial motor vehicle is being investigated by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement and Safety Division. First-response agencies on scene include DMV Enforcement, the Vermont State Police, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, the Vermont Hazardous Materials Team, and fire departments from Derby Line, Irasburg, Newport and Orleans.