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Hawaii island police said Highway 19 in Honomu remained closed today as firefighters worked a second day on extinguishing a fire on a propane truck that started from a fatal collision on Saturday.
Police said the highway could possibly remain closed until Monday because firefighters were letting the gas burn off.
The 3,000-gallon Hawaii Gas truck was about half full when it was involved in a collision with an SUV, police said. One person died, but further details on the crash were not available.
Police closed the road in both directions before 2:40 p.m. Saturday.
Police said the gas truck rolled over, blocking access to the tanker’s controls. Firefighters were controlling the heat from the fire by shooting water on the tanker while the gas burned off.
An officer described the flames as moderate, similar to a gas grill.
Police urged the public to avoid Highway 19. Outbound traffic was being rerouted onto Honomu Road and Old Mamalahoa Highway, then back onto Highway 19.
Inbound traffic was being rerouted onto Old Mamalahoa Highway from the Honomu transfer station.
No large trucks will be permitted on the detour and must use alternate routes, police said.
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