Fuel tanker explosion prompted evacuations in downtown Gallup area, police say

GALLUP, N.M. (KRQE) – Part of the downtown Gallup area was evacuated Tuesday morning due to a "potential explosion and fire," the Gallup Police Department announced on Facebook.

"We were just here at work and we heard this really loud explosion, it shook everything in the store," Shundiin Bigman, local trading post clerk.

New Mexico State Police said they responded to the rail yards at 603 Roundhouse Lane around 10 a.m. in reference to a CMV fuel tanker that exploded.

"Police force was very quick, the fire department was very quick, very quick response," said local business owner Coye Balok.

NMSP later learned it was two CMV fuel tankers on scene. The tankers pulled up alongside each other to offload diesel fuel. During the transfer, the explosion occurred. One of the CMV drivers was transported to an area hospital and then flown out to Arizona to be treated for his injuries. No other injuries were reported, and the fire has since been contained. Only one tanker was destroyed during the explosion. 

Some roads were closed but have since reopened as of 11:40 a.m. Gallup Police said traffic on 3rd and Maxwell is restricted. All lanes on Highway 66 and Maloney are now open.

"We've had a couple traffic accidents, we actually had two because of the explosion people were gawking and stuff. I think that's the reason why they closed off the roads to keep people from coming in," said Bigman.

NMSP is investigating the cause of the explosion.