North County : Tar Truck Spill Creates a Hot and Sticky Situation

A tar truck overturned in Fullerton early Wednesday, spilling gallons of hot tar, then burst into flames in nearby Brea as it was being towed away, authorities said.

Fullerton police said the 18-wheeler, which was traveling south on the Orange Freeway about 4 a.m., apparently blew a tire, skidded down a 100-foot embankment through a fence and overturned in the parking lot of the Home Savings Bank at 860 N. Langsdorf Drive in Fullerton.

A load of hot tar spilled over the parking lots and surrounding roadways, police said, forcing closure of the freeway on-ramp and part of Nutwood Street for about seven hours as work crews sought to clean up the mess.

As the truck was being towed from the scene, smoke began billowing out of a hole in its tank, apparently the result of the load not having been cooled properly before the truck was transported, according to Brea Fire Chief Joe Roguski.

He said the small fire was put out with little difficulty and without injury after the tow truck pulled to the side of the Orange Freeway just north of Lambert Road.

Employees at the bank said the tar spill caused only minor inconvenience. Police did not identify the company that owned the truck or its driver but said the driver was not injured in the mishap.