Bishopville, SC (WLTX) — Emergency crews are responding to a propane tanker leak outside the South Atlantic Canners (Coca-Cola) plant in Bishopville.
Bishopville police chief Calvin Collins says a propane tanker was exiting the plant when a door on another tractor trailer swung open and hit the back of the propane truck, breaking off the nozzle. No injuries have been reported.
A secondary propane tanker is on the scene to assist crews in containing the propane. Crews are transfer the propane to the other tanker, allowing them to fix the nozzle on the damaged truck, officials say.
Chief Collins says nearby neighborhoods are not currently in danger and employees of the plant are contained inside the plant. Officials say the Lee County Fire Department is monitoring the situation and taking appropriate precautions. Robert E.Lee Academy has dismissed for the day and nearby roads are blocked off as a precaution.
Lee County fire chief Mike Bedenbaugh says the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) and the S.C. Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) have been notified and involved in response. Bedenbaugh says Containment is well underway and he expects the scene to be cleared in a few hours, possibly early afternoon.
South Atlantic Canners is a Coca-Cola production cooperative that includes several Coca-Cola bottlers. The operation is managed by Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, the largest independent Coca-Cola bottler in the United States.
This is a developing story. Stick with News 19 for updates as they become available.