USA: TRUCKLOAD OF MAGNESIUM BURNS IN CHICAGO

Record ID: 636566

  • Title: USA: TRUCKLOAD OF MAGNESIUM BURNS IN CHICAGO
  • Date: 11th March 1969
  • Summary: BURNING TRUCK; FIREMEN; EXPLOSIONS Initials GS/V/DB/SS Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 26th March 1969 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: CHICAGO, U.S.A.
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Accidents,General
  • Reuters ID: LVA4SLJQSNCUPM6ZHVAWA06GDUVL
  • Story Text: A TRUCK LOADED WITH 50 BARRELS OF MAGNESIUM STRIPS CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED OUT OF CONTROL FOR HOURS ON AN EXPRESSWAY IN CHICAGO, U.S.A YESTERDAY (MARCH).

    THE DRIVER OF THE TRUCK, NORMAN ZBLEWSKI, OF SUBURBAN CHICAGO HEIGHTS, WAS SOUTHBOUND ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN HE LOOKED IN HIS REAR-VIEW MIRROR AND SAW SMOKE COMING THE TRUCK TRAILER.

    HE PULLED OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, BENEATH AN OVERPASS, AND LEAPED FROM THE CAB--JUT NOT IN TIME TO AVOID BEING BURNED ON THE BACK AND LEGS. ZBLEWSKI WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF HIS INJURIES.

    THE WHITE-HOT MAGNESIUM CONTINUED TO BURN FOR HOURS, AND THE HEAT WAS SO INTENSE IT WEAKENED THE CONCREATE AND STEEL SUPPORTS OF THE OVERPASS, FORCING OFFICIALS TO CLOSE IT.

    FIREMEN WERE POWERLESS TO EXTINGUISH THE BLAZE. THEY USED A SPECIAL SPRAY DEVICE TO CONTROL THE FLAMES UNTIL THE FIRE BURNED ITSELF OUT.

    THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNDETERMINED.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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