A tanker lorry carrying 9,000 gallons of petrol erupted in flames in Fort Worth, Texas, on Sunday after a collision and downed power lines, leaving its driver in critical condition.

The incident occurred around 1am when the 18-wheeler spun off the road near a petrol station, causing the fuel to leak.

Downed power lines then sparked the inferno, according to Fort Worth Fire Department spokesperson Craig Trojacek.

“The driver of the 18-wheeler was trying to do everything he could to keep the gas from draining into the parking lot of the Valero gas station when it lit off,” Mr Trojacek stated.

The driver was hospitalised with burns, but no other injuries were reported. Fire crews spent hours dousing the tanker with water and using sand to contain the spillage, finally leaving the scene at 7am.

Videos show the front of the truck engulfed in flames, with plumes of smoke rising.

One witness, Bailey Moss, said he was staying with a friend nearby when he heard “a loud crash” and peered outside.

“The fire spread quickly, and you could feel the heat even from a distance. It was pretty intense,” Moss said.