PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Emergency crews from Calvert County responded Monday to a propane truck that overturned on Sixes Road, trapping its driver and triggering a gas leak that required specialized hazardous materials teams to contain.
The incident unfolded around 8:10 a.m. in the 5700 block of Sixes Road, a rural stretch connecting local neighborhoods to Route 231 in Prince Frederick. Firefighters from the Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department, alerted initially for a routine fire alarm in nearby Box 206, shifted to the crash site after reports of the commercial vehicle accident surfaced. Engine 22 arrived first and confirmed the truck on its side with one occupant pinned inside. Crews quickly escalated the call to a full hazmat operation upon detecting the propane leak, summoning additional units from Charles County fire departments and environmental specialists from the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Firefighters from Engine 22 pulled a hand line to establish a safety perimeter and performed a swift extrication, freeing the driver within minutes. Emergency medical services assumed care immediately, transporting the patient to a regional hospital for evaluation. The individual’s condition remained undisclosed as of late Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, personnel from Company 2 and Company 6 worked to mitigate the leak using basic containment measures until the hazmat teams arrived.
Hazmat crews, arriving shortly after 9 a.m., assessed the scene and opted for a controlled burn-off of the propane to safely dispose of the product. This method, standard for volatile liquids in transportation accidents, involves igniting the gas in a monitored flare to prevent uncontrolled release or explosion. Officials projected the operation would span 12 to 18 hours, with rotating shifts from multiple Calvert County volunteer fire departments maintaining coverage through the evening and into Tuesday.
Sixes Road, a key artery for farm traffic and commuters, closed temporarily between Folly Lane and Route 231 to secure the site and divert vehicles. Detours routed drivers via Dares Beach Road or Route 4, adding 10 to 15 minutes to typical travel times in the area. The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation into the crash’s cause, with preliminary indications pointing to a single-vehicle rollover, though weather conditions—clear skies and dry pavement—played no apparent role.
The Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department, one of nine volunteer companies in Calvert County, spearheaded the initial response with Engine 22, Squad 2 and Tanker 2.
Calvert County’s fire-rescue-EMS system operates under a coordinated model, with the county government providing administrative support, equipment funding and training through the Fire-Rescue-EMS Division at 200 Main Street in Prince Frederick. Volunteers, who make up the bulk of the workforce, undergo rigorous certification in areas like hazardous materials response, which proved critical here. The division’s mission emphasizes preserving this volunteer framework while delivering professional services, including advanced life support and technical rescues.
Propane, a liquefied petroleum gas stored under pressure, poses unique risks in accidents. The National Fire Protection Association outlines protocols for such incidents: First responders isolate the area—typically 500 to 1,000 feet based on cargo volume—deploy protective hose lines and monitor for ignition sources. In this case, the truck’s capacity was not specified, but leaks from overturned tankers can release thousands of gallons if unchecked. The controlled burn, supervised by state environmental officials, minimizes air and soil contamination compared to venting or chemical neutralization.
Maryland’s Department of the Environment, based in Baltimore, deploys regional hazmat teams for incidents involving hazardous substances under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or Superfund law. Their role includes sampling for volatile organic compounds and ensuring compliance with air quality standards during the burn-off. Charles County contributions, likely from stations in La Plata or Waldorf, bolstered manpower for the prolonged operation.
This event echoes past hazmat challenges in Southern Maryland, where rural roads like Sixes—flanked by fields and woodlands—complicate access for heavy apparatus. In 2023, a similar tanker spill on Route 4 near Dunkirk required a six-hour closure, highlighting the need for inter-county mutual aid agreements. Calvert’s system, formalized in the 1970s, relies on these pacts to pool resources during extended incidents.
By mid-afternoon, the burn-off proceeded without flare-ups, and no secondary evacuations were ordered. Residents in nearby communities were advised to report unusual odors via the county’s non-emergency line at 410-535-2800. The Sheriff’s Office urged witnesses to submit tips through its online portal.
The road closure lifted partially by 5 p.m., allowing limited access for locals, though full reopening awaited final air monitoring. Cleanup crews planned to upright the truck Tuesday morning, with environmental crews inspecting the site for residual impacts. No fines or citations were announced pending the investigation’s conclusion.