[Press Release] : Early morning vehicle crash sparks fire, closes I-70 for several hours

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

You have received this message because you subscribe to the City of
Columbia's Web Mail service. To view linked material click on provided
links or copy and paste them into your browser's address menu.
______________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Battalion Chief Steven Sapp - (573) 874-7557 

Early morning vehicle crash sparks fire, closes I-70 for several hours

COLUMBIA, MO (February 23, 2006) -- Columbia firefighters responded to
a report of a vehicle fire at the 128 mile marker of westbound I-70, at
4:59 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 23. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered
fire in a tractor trailer against the concrete guardrail in the driving
lane of I-70 just west of the 63 Connector with the tractor heavily
involved in fire.

Columbia firefighters were able to extinguish the fire but not before
heavy damage occurred to the tractor and light damage to the trailer.
Damage to the tractor, which was totaled by the fire, is estimated at
$150,000. Damage to the trailer and contents is estimated at $7,000 and
damage and cleanup to I-70 is estimated at $7-10, 000. Total damage is
estimated at $164,000.

The tractor trailer was owned and operated by Natalie Zybert, 35, of
South Dayton New York. Zybert is the owner of Lacey Hawkes Transport out
of New York. Zybert escaped the crash uninjured. The carrier was
transporting dry pasta. 

Fire investigators were called to the scene to determine the cause and
origin of the fire. Fire investigators determined that the fire
originated in the cab and engine compartment of the tractor. The cause
of the fire was determined to be diesel fuel from the ruptured tanks
ignited by sparks caused during the crash. 

I-70 was closed for several hours while firefighters extinguished the
fire and cleaned up the spilled fuel, oils and hydraulic fluids which
turned the driving and passing lanes of I-70 into a skating rink. MoDOT
arrived with sand and additional materials to absorb the slick. Some
minor releases of diesel fuel entered Hinkson Creek from the bridge
drains. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources was notified.
Firefighters used absorbent materials to stop and divert the majority of
spilled fuel from entering the creek. 

- 30 -
______________________________________________________

Archived press releases can be viewed online at: 
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Public_Information/Press_Releases/

______________________________________________________

If you would like to stop receiving messages, modify list options, or
subscribe to other lists visit the Web Mail section of our Web site and
follow the instructions provided. 

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Web_Mail/index.php