US: One killed as gas tanker explodes on highway in Maryland

WORLD, March 06 (YPA) – At least one person has been killed and material damage has occurred after a gas tanker carrying flammable liquids exploded on a highway in the US state of Maryland, as city officials advised residents to avoid the area.

Maryland State Police Information Officer Ron Snyder said flames and smoke rose into the sky after the truck hit a tree and exploded on Saturday afternoon in the western Maryland city, 50 miles west of Baltimore.

Frederick County Fire Chief Tom Coe, said the fire was extinguished several hours later, and hazardous materials were contained and did not reach the Carroll Creek Stream, which flows into the Monokassy River in Frederick County.

Sources told CNN that the truck driver was killed in the crash.

E.M