The massive explosion of a butane tanker on Interstate 25 about 15 miles south of Casper has caused the highway to be shut down until the fire burns itself out and damage to the highway can be assessed, Wyoming authorities said late this afternoon.
Sgt. Stephen Townsend of the Wyoming Highway Patrol said a butane tanker consisting of a cab and two trailers — a main trailer and a second “pup” trailer — was southbound on the interstate shortly after noon when the pup trailer malfunctioned.
That caused the tanker to roll, with part of the tanker landing in the median.
The truck was carrying 12,547 gallons of butane.
Townsend said the pup trailer caught fire, and it spread to the main trailer. Shortly afterward, he said, the butane-filled trailers exploded, sending the pup trailer flying more than a half mile from the original site.
Other motorists helped the driver, 77-year-old Paul Prime, out of the cab before the explosion. Prime was wearing his seat belt and was not injured.
Townsend said Wyoming troopers were able to get other motorists away from the 75-foot-long tanker before it exploded.
The explosion sparked numerous grass fires in nearby fields, which were put out by firefighters, said Townsend.
He said the main trailer is still on fire, and it is expected to burn for a couple of more hours.
However, he said that at 4 p.m., it was safe for the first time, for troopers and fire personnel to approach the remains of the cab and main trailer.
Troopers had been forced to stay more than a mile away from the hot blaze for the first several hours, said Townsend.
Later this evening, the Wyoming Department of Transportation will assess the damage caused to the interstate and attempt to determine what repairs need to be made and when the highway can be reopened.
He said the truck trailer combination operated by PC Transport out of Casper is a total loss. It was headed from Casper to its final destination in Douglas, Wyo.
Southbound traffic on I-25 is being routed onto U.S.20/U.S. 26 at the Hat Six Interchange. Northbound traffic is being routed onto U.S. 20/U.S. 26 at the Glenrock Interchange, said Townsend.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
