From the Crystal Lake Fire Recue Department:
Vehicle Fire w/ Haz-Mat – S. Route 31 Southbound off-ramp near Northwest Highway
Crystal Lake, IL – Crystal Lake Fire Rescue (CLFR) was dispatched for a vehicle fire located on the southbound off-ramp of S. Route 31 Hwy near the intersection of Northwest Highway.
Upon arrival, CLFR found a contractor van parked on the side of the off-ramp which was fully engulfed in fire.
The driver of this vehicle was found ambulatory on scene and unharmed.
Response was upgraded for a tender and a second engine, due to the distance of the nearest hydrant and the need for additional supplies.
During the fire suppression efforts, the gasoline tank ruptured which caused burning gasoline to spill on the roadway )approximately 30 gallons) and partially into adjacent grassy area.
CLFR crews extinguished the fire with an AR-FFF foam application.
The fire was reported under control at 3:14 PM.
Fire crews continued to extinguish isolated hotspots and flare ups until it was fully extinguished.
The contractor company that owns the van was required to contact their Haz-Mat spill company for the cleanup of the van’s
gasoline and the AR-FFF foam application.
Other agencies such as, but not limited to, were contacted and informed of this incident: IL-EMA, EPA and IDOT.
The Haz-Mat spill company mitigated, neutralized and cleaned up the spill to affected area.
No gasoline, AR-FFF foam and/or other hazardous/dangerous materials or liquid entered any waterway and/or sewer system.
The affected area was isolated to a small area of the paved off-ramp and a small section of a grassy area.
The off-ramp remained closed during the Haz-Mat cleanup operation and was later re-opened around 9:30 PM.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined pending possible further investigation by contractor’s insurance company investigators.
