Tractor trailer fire from lithium-ion batteries results in heavy Hazmat response on Route 422 West Tuesday morning [UPDATE]
Update, 4 p.m.: A Big Lots tractor trailer hauling scrap metal and lithium-ion batteries caught fire on Route 422 Westbound in Upper Providence Township Tuesday morning, forcing the closure of the highway at Route 29 to all traffic and resulting in a massive fire and Hazmat response.
The call came into Montgomery County emergency dispatch as a vehicle fire at the Route 29 ramp at 8:10 a.m. Additional reports followed at 8:30 a.m. and 8:49 a.m.
At 9:29 a.m., according to county dispatch reports, smoke was pouring from the rear of the trailer near the Collegeville exit.
According to county dispatch, a two-vehicle accident with injuries was reported Route 422 Eastbound at the Route 29 ramp, with a report of a woman with injuries to her face, with EMS treating the victim on the side of the roadway.
At 9:44 a.m., authorities reported a hazardous materials incident, according to county dispatch reports.
Fire police were called to assist at the scene, as of 10:45 a.m. The water loop entrance to Town Center shopping area is also blocked off.
Town Center shopping area was evacuated, due to air quality safety concerns from the lithium-ion batteries. NBC10 reported there was no shelter-in-place order due to the smoke, however neighbors in the vicinity of the crash were asked to remain indoors. Professionals and officials are conducting air quality tests at present, according to reports.
Pennsylvania State Police said troopers responded at 8:10 a.m. to mile marker 184.1 on westbound Route 422, to assist with reports of smoke from a tractor trailer.
Due to difficulties with extinguishing the batteries and subsequent excessive water runoff, the scene was declared a hazmat situation, police said.
Route 422 West was closed and detoured onto South Collegeville Road, police said.
Responding units include Montgomery County Hazmart Response Team, North Penn Vol. Fire Co., Towamencin Fire Co., Sanatoga Fire Co., Point Pleasant Fire Co., Norriton Fire Engine Co., Ringing Hill Fire Co., Perkiomen Township Fire Co., Trappe Fire Co., Goodwill Fire, Royersford Fire, Upper Merion Fire, Kimberton Fire Co., Hatfield Fire Co., Collegeville Fire, Limerick Fire, Black Rock Fire, Upper Salford Fire, Worcester Fire, Skippack Fire, Upper Frederick Fire, Harleysville Fire Co., Upper Providence Township Fire, Pennsburg Fire, Phoenixville Fire Co., Valley Forge Fire Co., Jefferson Fire Co., Lower Frederick Fire, Lower Providence Fire, Rockledge Fire, and Friendship Fire Co. Ambulance and Superior Towing.
