REFUGIO, TX — A tanker truck hauling butane rolled over on U.S. Highway 77 near the State Highway 239 exit Wednesday afternoon, shutting down the roadway and sending traffic onto alternate routes, according to the Refugio Volunteer Fire Department.

The crash prompted an immediate traffic alert because of the hazardous cargo and the need to keep drivers away from the scene. Fire department officials said emergency crews were monitoring the area while the butane was transferred to another tank.

Highway closure affects a busy stretch of U.S. 77

The rollover happened on a section of U.S. 77 that serves as an important route through the area, making the closure a significant disruption for motorists traveling near the State Highway 239 exit. Officials did not immediately say how long the shutdown would last.

Because the tanker was carrying butane, the response focused not only on clearing the wreck but also on managing the fuel safely. That made the incident more than a routine traffic crash and required crews to stay on scene while the transfer process continued.

Drivers in the area were told to expect rerouting while emergency personnel handled the situation. No detour details were included in the alert, but the closure meant traffic had to be redirected away from the blocked stretch of highway.

Refugio Volunteer Fire Department leads the response

The Refugio Volunteer Fire Department identified the crash and posted the traffic alert Wednesday afternoon. Its notice emphasized that crews were actively monitoring the site as the fuel was moved from the overturned tanker to another container.

That step is important in a hazmat-type response because the cargo itself can shape how quickly a roadway can reopen. In this case, the transfer process was underway while the highway remained shut down.

Authorities have not said whether any injuries were reported. No additional information was included about the driver, the cause of the rollover or whether other vehicles were involved.

Why butane transport makes the scene more complicated

Butane is a flammable gas commonly transported in specialized tankers, and a rollover involving that kind of load requires a careful response. Even when a crash does not immediately turn into a fire or spill, the cargo creates added risk for nearby motorists and responders.

That is why emergency crews stayed on site instead of focusing only on traffic control. They had to account for the tanker’s position, the condition of the fuel container and the transfer of the butane to a different tank before the area could be considered safe.

The alert did not mention any evacuation orders or a fire, and officials have not described any release of the fuel. For now, the emphasis remained on monitoring the truck and keeping the public away from the closure zone.

Traffic impacts spread beyond the crash site

Although the rollover was centered near the SH 239 exit, the shutdown likely affected drivers approaching the area from multiple directions along U.S. 77. Highway closures on a corridor like this can create delays well beyond the immediate scene as traffic backs up and reroutes.

The fire department’s alert was aimed at warning the public quickly so motorists could adjust their travel plans. With the tanker still being unloaded, reopening the highway depended on the pace of the fuel transfer and any safety checks that followed.

Officials had not announced a reopening time late Wednesday, and the situation remained active while crews continued their work. Anyone traveling through the area was urged to use caution and follow alternate directions from responders.

What officials have not yet said about the rollover

The available information focused on the closure and the hazardous material response rather than the cause of the crash. The Refugio Volunteer Fire Department did not release details about why the tanker overturned.

There was also no immediate word on whether the driver was hurt or whether any damage extended beyond the truck itself. Those details typically come later once responders finish securing the scene and investigators review what happened.

For now, the main confirmed facts are that a butane tanker rolled over, U.S. 77 was shut down near the State Highway 239 exit, and emergency crews were on site transferring the fuel and rerouting traffic.