2 deaths in hazmat incident at Avondale truck wash under investigation
Aug 30, 2021, 3:00 PM
(Facebook File Photo/Avondale AZ Police Department)
(Facebook File Photo/Avondale AZ Police Department)
PHOENIX – Authorities are investigating a hazardous materials incident at a West Valley truck wash over the weekend that left two men dead and four emergency personnel hospitalized.
The deceased were employees of Danny’s Truck Wash near 99th Street and Interstate 10, the Avondale Police Department said in a press release Monday. The victims had been assigned to clean the inside of a liquid tanker truck on Sunday.
Officers responded to call about two men being trapped inside the truck around 12:45 p.m. They determined it was hazmat situation and called in for help from the fire department.
Police said the first man collapsed and became unconscious after entering the tank. The second man went in to help and also became unconscious.
They were both recovered and pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Four firefighters were treated for heat-related ailments during the incident.
Police said there was no hazardous material spill and the public was not in danger.
Fire crews from Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear, Phoenix and Tolleson took part of the response.
No other details were immediately available. The investigation is ongoing.
