A tanker truck carrying about 8,500 gallons of gasoline crashed into a tractor-trailer and burst into flames on Interstate 95 in Connecticut early Thursday morning, closing both sides of the highway.
The tanker collided with a truck and a car near Exit 15 and the Fairfield Avenue overpass. hartford coolant report.
The accident occurred around 5 a.m., and teams from the state Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and energy company Eversource were called to the scene, as well as local firefighters.
Connecticut State Police reported no serious injuries.
Emergency crews continue to work at the scene of a tanker fire on Interstate 95. Our police officers are working to reroute traffic throughout the city. We remind everyone to seek alternative routes and allow extra time for travel.
visit https://t.co/PlgKTLuQZ5 For additional updates pic.twitter.com/fc2eGhFP1z
— Norwalk, Connecticut Police Department (@NorwalkCtPD) May 2, 2024
According to DEEP, the tanker truck lost about half of its gasoline in the fire. Authorities said late in the afternoon that the vehicle could not be removed until the remaining fuel from the tanker had been drained.
Officials said there was no spill in the nearby Norwalk River.
DEEP also announced that air quality is safe.
DEEP staff conducted on-site air quality monitoring for potential air quality impacts from the I-95 fire today, and no air quality impacts were detected.
— DEEP (@CTDEEPNews) May 2, 2024
“Everyone should continue to avoid the area,” Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said at X. “Both northbound and southbound lanes near Exit 15 will be closed for an extended period of time.” .
It was also announced that a press conference would be held in the evening.
We’ll be holding another news briefing today at 5 p.m. to discuss all the latest updates on the situation on I-95 in Norwalk.
Everyone should continue to avoid the area. Both northbound and southbound lanes near Exit 15 will remain closed for an extended period of time.
— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) May 2, 2024
DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg also confirmed the incident at X, saying the agency’s highway team is “working closely with the Connecticut DOT on the tanker fire that closed Interstate 95 in Norwalk.” .
“Please heed local authorities’ detours and avoid the area if possible. Thank you to the first responders who responded to the fire and kept other motorists safe,” Buttigieg added. .
Our highway team is working closely with the Connecticut Department of Transportation on the tanker fire that closed Interstate 95 in Norwalk. Please be aware of local authorities’ diversion routes and avoid the area if possible. We would like to thank the first responders who kept other motorists safe while fighting the fire.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) May 2, 2024
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) also spoke about this inferno later in the day in an appropriations subcommittee, saying that Interstate 95 could be “severely over the bridge, depending on how quickly we can get the bridge structurally sound and understand the situation.” It may be closed for a few days.” Extent of fuel leakage. ”
