KGET TV 17 - In the Spirit of the Golden Empire - Radioactive material threatens Interstate 5
KGET TV 17 - In the Spirit of the Golden Empire - Radioactive material threatens Interstate 5: "Radioactive material threatens Interstate 5
Video
Posted 08/13/05
BAKERSFIELD - All southbound lanes of Interstate 5 were temporarily shut down Saturday evening after a truck carrying gamma radiation caught fire near Fort Tejon.
Traffic snarled on I-5 for five miles near the Grapevine amid concerns radioactive material in the back of a bobtail truck may have been exposed following a fire.
“It's in a containment area, or a containment box, and as long as it hasn't been compromised, then they can tow that truck out of here,” said Cpt. Doug Johnston from the Kern County Fire Department.
The radioactivity is used by the Schklumberger Company to x-ray oil pipes.
Kern County Environmental Health arrived with a Geiger counter in hand to check the protective lead containers.
They hadn’t breached, and it was safe.
But the near-contamination had folks wondering how much radioactive material goes through Kern County every day.
“Probably a lot more than we realize,” said Johnston. “There's lots and lots of these elements being run up and down the road, and for the most part, they are very safe.”
The driver and passenger of the truck escaped the fire, though the passenger was treated for smoke inhalation.
In the meantime, stranded commuters did their best to survive the summer heat.
“I’ve been sitting here sweating, my car is overheated, and the rest of the troops went up to the town to go to the bathroom,” said Santa Clarita resident Randy Womer. “I'm sure there's a lot of people back there that are having that problem.”
Two Modesto teens kept their cool in other ways.
“We’ve been making up cheerleading dances because we’re both coaches, so we’re just dancing on the side of the road,” said Jessica Manrique and Lisa Holcomee.
The cause of the fire is under investigation."
Video
Posted 08/13/05
BAKERSFIELD - All southbound lanes of Interstate 5 were temporarily shut down Saturday evening after a truck carrying gamma radiation caught fire near Fort Tejon.
Traffic snarled on I-5 for five miles near the Grapevine amid concerns radioactive material in the back of a bobtail truck may have been exposed following a fire.
“It's in a containment area, or a containment box, and as long as it hasn't been compromised, then they can tow that truck out of here,” said Cpt. Doug Johnston from the Kern County Fire Department.
The radioactivity is used by the Schklumberger Company to x-ray oil pipes.
Kern County Environmental Health arrived with a Geiger counter in hand to check the protective lead containers.
They hadn’t breached, and it was safe.
But the near-contamination had folks wondering how much radioactive material goes through Kern County every day.
“Probably a lot more than we realize,” said Johnston. “There's lots and lots of these elements being run up and down the road, and for the most part, they are very safe.”
The driver and passenger of the truck escaped the fire, though the passenger was treated for smoke inhalation.
In the meantime, stranded commuters did their best to survive the summer heat.
“I’ve been sitting here sweating, my car is overheated, and the rest of the troops went up to the town to go to the bathroom,” said Santa Clarita resident Randy Womer. “I'm sure there's a lot of people back there that are having that problem.”
Two Modesto teens kept their cool in other ways.
“We’ve been making up cheerleading dances because we’re both coaches, so we’re just dancing on the side of the road,” said Jessica Manrique and Lisa Holcomee.
The cause of the fire is under investigation."
posted by Greta Jane at Sunday, August 14, 2005
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