| At 4:50 a.m., Companies 33 and 31 were dispatched to northbound Interstate 81 at mile marker 55.8 for a crash involving an overturned tractor trailer. Squad 33, staffed with seven personnel, responded to the scene. Chief 31 was informed that the driver was initially unable to get out of the vehicle and that the trailer contained a quantity of flammable liquid. The Duty Officer from the Cumberland County Hazardous Materials Team was requested to assist.
Responding crews encountered traffic congestion and found all lanes of the highway blocked upon arrival. The truck driver had managed to exit the vehicle before emergency crews arrived. Due to the closure, Cumberland County Public Safety activated a Traffic Unit Task Force, closing Interstate 81 at Exit 52.
At 5:43 a.m., the full response from the Cumberland County Hazardous Materials Team was requested, bringing in additional resources from Franklin County. Hazardous materials technicians investigated the incident and determined it was safe after inspecting the contents of the trailer.
By 9:55 a.m., wrecker crews had uprighted the tractor trailer and transported it to a local trucking company for further evaluation by the Hazardous Materials Team.
Fire police and assisting agencies provided vital support throughout the incident. Fairview Township Rescue 68 also transferred to Station 33 and responded to a townhouse fire in Upper Allen Township during the operation. |
