The Latest: Freeway reopens following tanker rollover

FIFE, Wash. – The Latest on a tanker rollover that caused a highway closure in Washington state (all times local):

12:55 p.m.

A section of a major freeway in Washington state has reopened state after a tanker truck rolled over and spilled fuel near the Port of Tacoma.

The News Tribune reports that at least some of the 7,700 gallons of fuel the tanker was hauling spilled in the crash, which happened about 9:15 a.m. as the truck was approaching Interstate 5. The four-lane freeway closed for several hours Wednesday morning in both directions.

It reopened shortly after noon.

The driver wasn’t hurt. Authorities had evacuated buildings within a half-mile radius of the scene.

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12:05 p.m.

A section of a major freeway is closed in Washington state after a tanker truck rolled over and spilled fuel near the Port of Tacoma.

The News Tribune reports (http://goo.gl/kfaVOq ) that at least some of the 7,700 gallons of fuel the tanker was hauling spilled in the crash, which happened about 9:15 a.m. as the truck was approaching Interstate 5. The four-lane freeway is closed in both directions.

The driver wasn’t hurt. A Tacoma Fire Department hazardous materials team and officials from the state Department of Ecology were not immediately able to get close enough to inspect the leaking tank. Authorities were evacuating buildings within a half-mile radius of the scene.

Washington State Patrol Trooper Todd Bartolac says it’s “a very delicate situation.”

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Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com