FORT KNOX, Ky. — Quick reaction times led Fort Knox and local firefighters to douse a threatening fuel fire July 17 after a gas tanker crashed on Highway 31W in nearby West Point, Kentucky.
Fort Knox dispatch officials received an emergency call from Hardin County dispatch shortly before 10:30 a.m. that a fuel tanker carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline had crashed. Upon arriving nine minutes later, fire officials assessed the situation.
A Fort Knox crash truck arrived shortly afterward and began assisting West Point and Muldraugh firefighters in dousing the fire while also spraying a foam to protect the road and cool the tank.
“[The foam] is a highly efficient type of fire suppressant agent, mixed with water, to attack flammable liquid pool fires,” said Chief Jay Schiedewitz, chief of Fort Knox Fire Department. “The only way to extinguish a fire like this one is by removing the oxygen.”
Meanwhile, other fire crews from Meade and Hardin counties arrived and assisted in putting out the fire. Within 50 minutes, the crews had extinguished the fire. There were no reported no injuries.
Fort Knox fire officials said 20 personnel manning seven apparatuses used about 10,000 gallons of water and 500 gallons of foam to put out the fire. Schiedewitz said his firefighters’ quick actions made the difference in getting the fire under control quickly.
“Specialized training is required for proper and effective applications. All Fort Knox firefighters are Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting-certified and participate in annual refresher training,” said Schiedewitz. “Their professionalism and training paid off.”
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