FERRISBURGH — The Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement & Safety Division, in conjunction with the State Police, has finalized its investigation into a fire that destroyed a natural-gas tanker truck and caused damage to a section of U.S. Route 7 earlier this month.
An extensive Level 1 Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) inspection by the DMV’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Team was conducted on the truck and trailer, involved in the June 1 incident.
Investigators determined that the fire was due to a mechanical failure in the trailer’s rear axle area. Due to the extensive damage, pinpointing the exact origin and cause of the fire was deemed undeterminable.
The tractor-trailer was completely destroyed in the fire.
Despite initial concerns, there was no explosion. The tanks on the trailer functioned as intended, allowing for a controlled burn of the compressed natural gas and averting a potentially disastrous explosion.
As part of the investigation, the State Police documented the initial response, the closure of the roadway for firefighting operations, conducted interviews with involved parties, and recorded the extent of the damage.
Thankfully, there were no reported injuries in the incident.
Repairs to the road surface and various cables damaged by the fire have been completed.
Throughout the investigation, the carrier, KAG Merchant Gas Group LLC of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, has maintained full cooperation with authorities, police say.
