Mass Evacuation After Tanker Truck Overturns, Spills In Eastern PA

BETHLEHEM, PA — A tanker truck overturned Thursday morning in Lehigh Valley, spilling more than 6,000 gallons of gasoline and leading to evacuations throughout the local area, according to authorities and media reports.

The incident occurred at about 2 a.m. in Bethlehem, near the intersection of West Union Boulevard and Paul Avenue.

It's not yet clear what led to the crash, though 6ABC reports that the driver "lost control" by a turn.

Everyone within a 1,000 foot radius was evacuated, authorities said, which includes hundreds of homes. That radius was initially 1,000 meters but was later changed by authorities, Lehigh Valley News reports.

Gasoline was running in the street, down hills and into sewers, according to authorities. Cleanup is anticipated to take hours, at least.

A nearby school, Nitschmann Middle School, served as a shelter for those families and operated on a two-hour delay.

"Due to fuel spill on west side, school used as a shelter for displaced families," the school said in a statement. "Delay for two hours to ensure that our building is ready to function normally for students and staff while also serving our community's needs."

The Red Cross and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection have joined local fire and police departments in responding to the scene.