ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND — An unoccupied tractor-trailer rolled down a hill Friday evening and narrowly avoided striking a three-story apartment building in Montgomery County, prompting a hazardous materials response after more than 60 gallons of diesel fuel spilled from ruptured saddle tanks.

According to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer, the incident happened around 7:30 p.m. in the 2500 block of Baltimore Road near Norbeck Road, behind a Safeway store in Rockville.

^{Photo credit: Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service}

Officials said the tractor-trailer rolled downhill, crashed through a fence, and came to a stop just before it would have impacted a three-story, garden-style apartment building. The truck did not hit the building, and officials said that prevented what could have been a much more serious situation for nearby residents.

MCFRS HazMat units were dispatched after the truck’s saddle tanks ruptured, resulting in a diesel fuel spill of more than 60 gallons. Crews worked to contain the spill and secure the scene, and the Maryland Department of the Environment responded to assist with mitigation and environmental concerns.

No injuries were reported, and officials said the tractor-trailer was unoccupied at the time. Emergency crews remained on scene for several hours addressing the fuel spill and assessing any potential structural or environmental impacts.

The cause of the tractor-trailer rolling downhill has not been released, and the incident remains under review.

📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.