An unoccupied tractor-trailer rolled down a hill and narrowly avoided striking an apartment building in Montgomery County Friday evening, prompting a hazardous materials response due to a significant diesel fuel spill.
According to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. in the 2500 block of Baltimore Road near Norbeck Road, behind a Safeway store in Rockville.
Officials said the tractor-trailer rolled downhill, crashed through a fence, and came to a stop just before impacting a three-story, garden-style apartment building. The truck did not hit the building, preventing what could have been a much more serious situation for nearby residents.
MCFRS HazMat units were dispatched after the truck’s saddle tanks ruptured, resulting in a diesel fuel spill of more than 60 gallons. Crews worked to contain the spill and secure the scene, while the Maryland Department of the Environment responded to assist with mitigation and environmental concerns.
No injuries were reported, and the tractor-trailer was unoccupied at the time of the incident. Emergency crews remained on scene for several hours addressing the fuel spill and assessing any potential structural or environmental impacts. The cause of the tractor-trailer rolling downhill has not been released, and the incident remains under review.
