HOUSTON -- An overturned tanker truck turned what is normally a busy freeway into a completely empty freeway Friday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

A tanker truck overturned while making a U-turn on the southbound feeder road of the West Loop near Bellaire Boulevard about 11 a.m.

Officials said a gasoline poured out of the tanker, which was carrying 7,400 gallons.

Hazardous materials crews drilled holes into the tank to drain the gasoline into smaller tanks.

Officials said several hundred gallons of fuel leaked into the sewer.

All lanes of the West Loop were shut down to eliminate the chance of a spark that could cause an explosion, officials said.

Traffic was backed up on the Southwest Freeway and side streets in the area.

The freeway reopened after 7 p.m. The service roads remained closed while crews worked to clean up the mess.

Two office buildings were evacuated as a precaution and several area businesses were closed.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Check Traffic Now:

• Houston TranStar Real-Time Traffic Map


• Traffic Pulse Real-Time Traffic Map


• Traffic Section


• Houston Transtar


• Texas Dept. of Transportation Web site or call 800-452-9292


• Harris County Office of Emergency Management Web site

Check Construction Information:

Map: Freeway Construction Projects
TxDOT Freeway Construction Schedule