A heavy goods vehicle overturned late Friday afternoon on the A31 motorway near Nancy (Meurthe-et-Moselle), spilling more than 20,000 liters of flammable product, which caused a fire, said the prefecture of Meurthe-et-Moselle.
“This heavy goods vehicle was transporting 24,000 liters of flammable product which spilled onto the road, causing a fire with strong smoke release.
This product is stabilized butyl acrylate.
It is highly flammable and explosive
,” explained the prefecture.
“The dumping of part of the load into the sewerage network caused a fire inside the sewers then an explosion which caused the lifting of plates in the direct vicinity of the disaster
,” according to the same source.
The fire was extinguished around 6:00 p.m., after the deployment of a large device, including 39 trucks from the Departmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS), 68 firefighters and the cell specializing in chemical risks.
“According to the Grand Est Regional Health Agency, the drinking water network is not impacted by this disaster.
In fact, no collection point is located near the accident site.
The consumption of tap water is therefore not subject to any restrictions
,” the prefecture clarified in a new press release in the evening.
“Strong odors persist in the area.
These are linked to the presence of a residual product in the sewers.
This inconvenience will gradually disappear as the wastewater flows into the sanitation network
,” added the same source.
“The treatment plant is organized to receive and treat possible pollution.”
The heavy goods vehicle overturned on an exit ramp near Nancy.
“The expertise on the engineering structure located above the exit road is underway by the interregional directorate of Eastern roads
,” the prefecture further indicated.
This warns that the exit ramp where the accident occurred will not be reopened for several days
“time to remove the heavy goods vehicle and restore the roadway to safety”
.
According to the poison control center, butyl acrylate in its pure state can cause discomfort such as eye or respiratory irritation, nausea or vomiting.
A foul odor can be smelled nearby.
The health risks are moderate and easily identifiable, said the prefecture.