Multiple violations found following firework explosion on I-75
UPDATE: Multiple violations were found following a post-incident inspection of a vehicle fire carrying fireworks on I-75, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP).
They say the shipment, driven by Dalton Beeler, of Tennessee, was traveling from South Pittsburg to Knox County when the fire occurred.
The inspection found the carrier was transporting fireworks without several federally required safety measures.
Violations included:
• No current hazardous materials registration.
• No emergency response information for first responders.
• No hazardous materials shipping papers.
• No placards identifying the hazardous cargo.
• The driver did not have the required hazardous materials endorsement.
• No USDOT number, when required.
The driver was cited for no hazmat endorsement, identified during the inspection.
The inspection findings have been documented and referred through the appropriate regulatory channels for further review. Additional enforcement action, including potential federal penalties, will be determined by the appropriate regulatory authorities, THP says.
“This incident looked like a fireworks show, but it could have been much worse. Hazardous materials regulations exist to protect both the public and the first responders who rush toward danger when everyone else is moving away from it. The work performed by our Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division helps identify safety violations and reinforces the importance of compliance with federal and state transportation laws.”
– Col. Matt Perry, commander of the Tennessee Highway Patrol said.
THP says the images from Interstate 75 drew attention across Tennessee. They say behind those images was a commercial vehicle carrying regulated explosives on a public highway without several of the safety requirements federal law requires for hazardous materials transportation.
OOLTEWAH, Tenn. (WDEF) – A vehicle fire caused concern on Interstate 75 northbound near mile marker 14.2 Saturday evening after what appeared to be fireworks began igniting and exploding inside the vehicle.
According to the Chattanooga Fire Department, crews responded to the scene alongside Tri Community Fire Department personnel and law enforcement agencies just past the Ooltewah exit.
Officials reported that fireworks inside the vehicle continued going off as the vehicle burned.
As a precaution, interstate traffic was stopped in both directions while crews worked to contain the blaze.
We spoke with a local bystander, Joe Thompson, who lives nearby and said he first heard what sounded like fireworks from his home.
“It sounded like typical fireworks going off in the area, but then I walked outside and saw silver plumes coming from Ooltewah Georgetown Road. That’s where I thought it was. The truck had been almost fully engulfed in flames for about five minutes before we started seeing fire hoses being lined up.”
The Chattanooga Fire Department stated that no injuries were reported.
At this time, no further details have been released.
Video credit to Luke Pankratz, @kissvisuals.
