Update: One killed in Marinette Co. crash with methanol semi

Residents within half-mile were told to stay indoors

TOWN OF AMBERG -- A semi-tanker truck and passenger vehicle collided nearly head-on this afternoon on U.S. 141 in Marinette County, killing one person in the vehicle and forcing a hazardous materials alert because of uncertainty about the tanker's cargo.

The fatality was confirmed by Martinette Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Jerry Slauve.

An alert for residents to stay in their houses and take precautions from methanol, a highly flammable and poisonous liquid, was canceled about 5:05 p.m.

Although the fire started by the crash has been put out and there is no longer any danger to residents, officials said U.S. 141 will remain closed until 8 p.m. between Marinette County K and V.

The detour while U.S. 141 remains closed is from Marinette County K east to Marek Road north to Marinette County V west to get back to U.S. 141.

The alert was necessary because a placard on the semi said it was carrying methanol, and officials weren’t sure at the time of the crash. Residents in an 8 1/2 mile radius of the crash were initially told to take precautions. That radius was later reduced to 1/2 mile, while the area was cleaned up.

A shelter set up at Amberg Community Center, Old County Highway V will continue to stay open for awhile.

"The (Department of Natural Resources) just confirmed that the tanker was empty," Kathy Franks, public information officer with the Wisconsin Department of Emergency Management, said about 4:30 p.m.

The crash happened about 12:30 p.m. at U.S. 141 and Town Corner Lake Road near the Marinette County town of Amberg.

The Marinette County Hazardous Materials Team was on the scene, along with the Amberg Fire Department, Franks said.

A handful of people gathered at the Amberg Community this afternoon, including Ashley Laing, who lives near the scene of the accident. Her brother and father stayed in their home because they didn’t know about the evacuation order, she said.

“It’s a pain not to be able to go home, but I’ll just take it,” said Laing, who was returning from Army training when she came upon the detour. “I’ll sit here and wait as long as everything is clear.”

Pat Boshn, the Amberg town clerk, said two evacuation sites were set up for residents — one on the northside and one of the southside of the town. She helped organize the community center site.

“The thing is — what can you do? You can’t do anything to change it so you can help out then.”

Earlier story: Amberg residents near methanol spill warned to stay indoors

Residents in the Marinette County town of Amberg are being asked to seek shelter after a semi tanker carrying methanol was involved in a crash.

The crash occurred about 12:30 p.m., according to Marinette County Emergency Management. At 1:43 p.m., the semi tanker was burning, according to emergency management.

Residents living within a half-mile radius of the spill at the intersection of U.S. 141 and Town Corner Lake Road are being asked to stay inside their homes with doors and windows shut and air conditioning turned off, said a dispatcher with the Marinette County Sheriff's Department. Residents who live within the restricted zone but were not home at the time of the spill must go to the Amberg Community Center, Old County Highway V, until Hazmat cleans up the spill.

U.S. 141 between County K and County Z is closed.

According to the Methanol Institute, methanol is a colorless volatile liquid with a faintly sweet pungent odor similar to ethyl alcohol.

The substance is fully soluble in water. Vapors of methanol are slightly heavier than air and may travel some distance to a source of ignition and flash back.

Accumulations of vapors in confined spaces such as buildings or sewers may explode if ignited. There is potential for containers of liquid to rupture violently if exposed to fire or excessive heat for sufficient time duration. Methanol is listed as a “Poison-Class B”. It is harmful if swallowed or absorbed through the skin. Ingestion of as little as one ounce can cause irreversible injury to the nervous system, blindness, or death. It cannot be made nonpoisonous.

Causes eye and respiratory system irritation and may cause skin irritation.

Avoid liquid, mist, or vapor contact. Vapor inhalation or liquid penetration of the skin can cause central nervous system depression.

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