Thread: 2 dead in Merritt Island tanker truck fire

2 dead in Merritt Island tanker truck fire




Brevard County Fire-Rescue personnel and hazardous material teams are at the scene of a tanker fire at State Road 528 and State Road 3/N. Courtenay Parkway on Merritt Island where two people have been confirmed dead.










Traffic is blocked in the area and is being diverted to U.S. 1 and Interstate 95. A second vehicle, a black pickup, according to dispatchers, was reportedly involved.


The incident occurred near, but not at, Sea Ray Boats.


Bill Dressel of Palm Bay had just exited SR 528 and had just crossed the Barge Canal on State Road 3 when he looked up and saw flames fill his rearview mirror.


"I saw nothing but flames behind me," he said. "It was massive, they had to be 200 feet in the air and rolling out, like it was being fed. It was crazy. I still have goosebumps talking about it.


"It kind of puts everything in perspective, had I gone a little slower on 528, would I have been engulfed in flames?"


Two crash trucks from Kennedy Space Center also responded to the scene.


In an earlier update, Brevard County Lt. Jeff Taylor reported one tanker truck was involved and caught fire. Access to the scene is blocked to traffic.


"The tanker is on SR 528 on top of the bridge. Cargo is undetermined at this time. Crews are in a defensive mode and allowing the tanker to burn. Citizens are being asked to remain indoors in all directions within ½ mile of the scene. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area. "


SR 528 overpass at N. Courtenay is damaged and will have to be assessed for safety. No evacuations at this time though citizens are urged to stay out of the area.


Melanie Logan, who lives on Merritt Island, was on her way to pick up her daughter from Cocoa High School. She was behind the tanker and witnessed the explosion.


"I looked down to turn my heat on in my car, and the truck in front of me, a black truck, kind of swerved, and when it swerved it made the gasoline truck -- I don't know what it did or what happened -- but it blew up and there were flames and black smoke."

0Two people were killed in a tanker explosion in Brevard County.

It happened on state Road 528 near the intersection S.R. 3 (N. Courtenay Parkway) Friday.
Brevard County Fire Chief Leroy Collins said the two vehicles were going westbound on S.R. 528 when they collided on wet roads. They ended up on the eastbound lanes.
Collins said the tanker was towing a trailer that was carrying approximately 2,000 gallons of fuel.


Brevard County Fire Rescue said the fire has been extinguished.

Collins said there appears there may be significant damage to the S.R. 528 overpass.
Citizens are being asked to stay inside if you are within one-half mile of the scene.
S.R. 528 is closed in both directions. Eastbound traffic is being rerouted on to S.R. 3, while westbound is closed at Banana River Drive. Traffic is being diverted onto S.R. 520, U.S. 1 and I-95.

The fire is also delaying bus service for Jefferson Middle School, Merritt Island High School and Stevenson Elementary School. A Brevard Public Schools spokeswoman says the students are safe and will be taken home as quickly as possible.

There are reports that the 528 overpass at SR 3 has been damaged.


For those cruising out of Port Canaveral, be aware that this is on the route to the pier. It is, in fact within sight of the ships.
IF the overpass is indeed damaged, you will have to make what will seem to you like a lengthy detour to get to your ship.


ALLOW AT LEAST AN EXTRA 30-45 MINUTES FOR THIS DETOUR.

more to follow

Thanks Sheila, your first hand knowledge living in the area is invaluable

Here's the most likely scenario for a detour:

You'll be going E on 528 (The Beachline). Once you get over the Indian River (The Intracoastal) you may need to go South on State road 3 - Courtenay Parkway.
You'll go south for 3 miles, then turn east on State Road 520 (Merritt Island Causeway)
On 520, you'll go east for about 2 miles, then turn back N onto Banana river Drive until you come back to 528, at which time you'll go east, and the next turn will be at the sign that directs you to the ship terminals.

This is about a 7 or 8 mile detoour, but it is not quick roads. Both 3 and 520 are multi-lane, but it is street traffic, with multiple lights.
Banana River Drive is only two lanes, through mainly residential areas, and a slow speed limit - no speeding.

CF News 13 confirms damage to the 528 overpass at State road 3 (Coourtenay Parkway)

UPDATE

(This is better news)

No traffic is being allowed on the overpass.

BUT the plan now is to simply route traffic AROUND it - just a quick off, cross Courtenay eastbound on the surface, rather than going over it, then back up on onto 528 on the other side.

This wil be a slow-down, rather than an 8 mile detour, so good news!

Ths COULD possibly cause a back-up, so still allow some extra time to get to the ship.

Word this morning is that this small detour will be necessary for 30 to 35 days.
However, if you are cruising 36 days from now, just think about how often these thingsd are actually completed on time.

MERRITT ISLAND --
Work is beginning on the overpass in Brevard County that was significantly damaged during a fiery crash on Friday.
It happened on the Beachline at North Courtenay Parkway, which is also known as state Road 3.
Out of three bids, Lane Construction has been selected to start the work.
Florida Department of Transportation officials said the work will cost $2.2 million and should be completed in 25 days.
FDOT said if they don't get the work down under that deadline, they'll face a fine of $50,000 for each day it's not completed.
Two people were killed in the crash.
Officials issued the following statement Sunday:

"The Florida Department of Transportation and the contractor will work to minimize the impacts to travelers as the emergency bridge replacement takes place. We ask the public's patience as we work toward reopening these vital state roads.

More lanes will be added, but traffic backups are going to be a problem in the area.
The road should be back to normal Feb. 16.