1 killed in fuel truck fire, hazmat situation south of Denver

Firefighters in the Denver metro area rushed to a fuel truck fire and possible hazmat situation on Santa Fe Drive near Belleview early Monday morning. According to South Metro Fire Rescue, crews were alerted to the situation about 5:23 a.m.

Around 3:30 p.m., investigators said that the driver of the fuel truck was found deceased inside the truck. The driver wasn't immediately identified, and Englewood police said the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office will identify the driver and determine their cause and manner of death.

Investigators said the fuel truck was on fire near the 4800 block of Santa Fe Drive, and all directions were shut down to traffic at that time. Drivers were urged to avoid the area during the closure to allow for emergency vehicles to gain access. All northbound lanes reopened just after 11 a.m. and southbound lanes opened later in the afternoon. 

Firefighters were letting the fuel burn off.

"Really, the biggest thing as to why we're letting that fuel burn off instead of applying plain water. When we apply water to hazardous materials like this, it creates runoff, which creates hazardous waste, and in this case, the Platte River is right here where this incident is occurring, so we're trying to prevent any of that fuel from getting into the river," said Matthew Assell, the South Metro Fire Rescue public information officer.  

Investigators said the call was upgraded to a commercial structure fire due to the proximity of nearby buildings. There was also an extension into the grass area, but crews quickly extinguished that fire. 

There were several vehicles impacted, but those vehicles did not catch on fire. The neighboring U-Haul business also sustained some damage, but investigators didn't provide any more details on the extent of that damage.

The fire was extinguished just after 11 a.m. Crews continued cleanup in the area.

Other agencies that responded included the Littleton Police Department and the Englewood Police Department.

What caused the fire is being investigated.