A fuel tanker and a dump truck crashed on 9W in Esopus around 8:30 this morning, causing a fire that gutted a nearby business and reportedly caused injuries. The Times Herald-Record reports:
The two trucks apparently collided and went partially off the roadway. Reports from the scene are that the fire from the trucks ignited the business. There were apparently fireworks inside the building, and flashes were visible as they went off.
As of 10 a.m. flames were still visible, the building was totalled, and firefighters were still battling. Crews, trucks and equipment were brought in from Ulster, Orange and Dutchess counties, including foam trucks from the Air Guard's fire company at Stewart Air National Guard base.
Update: The Daily Freeman says the blaze could close Route 9W for eight hours.
Another local dump truck driver was lucky not to be engulfed in flames after he allegedly drunk-drove into the side of a building in Monticello last night, after which he apparently tried to hide the dump truck in the woods.
