LNG truck bursts into flames

People screamed and ran for cover when a condensate truck transporting Liquefied Natural Gas exploded and sent flames 20 feet in the air after one of the truck tyres blew out in Guayaguayare yesterday morning. The immediate area was cordoned off and traffic entering and leaving the area remained at a standstill. No injuries were reported. Electricity and telephone services were knocked out and part of the road under the burning truck was damaged. The explosion rocked the quiet village around 9 am, when truck driver Kelvin Pollard and his attendant were transporting LNG from Point Lisas to the National Gas Company’s Abyssinia facility in Guayaguayare for processing.

According to an NGC press release, a tyre blew out in the vicinity of Indian Bay, and the friction caused the tyre and vehicle to ignite. The driver and his attendant were able to jump out of the vehicle before it was engulfed in flames. Residents ran out of their homes screaming and a group of workers dropped their tools and ran for cover. BpTT coordinator of emergency response for the Mayaro/Guayaguayare area was first on the scene and initiated  an emergency response plan. NGC sent its response team via helicopter and Rio Claro Fire Services and Police also responded.

Some 500 feet east and west of the area was immediately cordoned off and commuters were unable to pass. Fire officials told Newsday it would have been dangerous to extinguish the flames and leave the liquids exposed, which was why they allowed the fire to burn itself out. Newsday understands that the truck was valued at about $300,000 and it was transporting about 7,500 gallons of LNG. In the release, NGC expressed regret for any inconvenience caused to members of the public in the Mayaro/Guayaguayare area, stating that this was the first incident of its kind to occur in 20 years of transportation activities. Fire officer Kissoon Gopie of Rio Claro Fire Services and Rio Claro Police are continuing investigations.