South Wales fire fighters averted a disaster of biblical proportions in St Mellons just before Christmas after the emergency services were called to an incident on the east bound A48M on Sunday December 19th.
According to an eye witness the cab of a road fuel tanker caught fire with flames quickly engulfing the drivers cabin and front tyres of the vehicle, which was fully loaded with 22,000 litres of unleaded petrol and 17,500 litres of diesel.
In total over 70 firemen and women from 14 South Wales stations attended the scene.
Engulfed
When the first crews arrived on the scene around 3:50pm the cabin was already engulfed in flames.
While crews tackled the fire at the front of the vehicle at the back there was a constant battle to keep the 15 metre long tanker cool with a fine mist of water and on this occasion many will be thankful of the sub-zero temperatures which although uncomfortable for the crews to work in, helped to keep the volatile petrol cool enough not to explode.
A resident of St Mellons who watched from an adjacent field commented “The fire crews should be commended one and all for their bravery.”
“Had that fully laden tanker got hot enough to explode we would be remembering Christmas 2010 for more than just the snow.”
So for bravery above and beyond the call of duty, thank you, to the entire South Wales Fire Service.
The Cardiff Citizen
