The Duncan Banner

Local News

July 12, 2012

Truck driver burned in fire

Toni Hopper The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — The driver of a tanker truck was air lifted to Oklahoma City Thursday evening after his truck caught on fire around 7:45 p.m. near the National Guard Armory, south of the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center, by old U.S. Highway 81.

Stephens County Sheriff Wayne McKinney said the driver had second- and third-degree burns.

It was not known if the injured driver was a local man or how extensive his  burns were.

Few details were available at press time, but Duncan Police Department, ambulances and Duncan Fire Department immediately arrived on scene.

Stephens County Sheriff’s deputies, McKinney and Velma Fire Department also responded.

Main Street Duncan’s director Tammy Johnson was at the fairgrounds when the initial fire sent plumes of black smoke into the air.

There was some confusion that an explosion had  happened, but McKinney said about 20 minutes after the initial call that an explosion had not happened, but authorities were concerned it could happen and immediately took precautions.

That included blocking off the old highway to traffic. Only emergency personnel were allowed in the vicinity.

McKinney said at 9:08 p.m. there was no evacuation of the area and the fire was out. Firefighters were in the process of cleaning up the area, but traffic to Cherokee Road would be detoured for about three to four hours. SCSO Reserve Deputies were handling the traffic.

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