Tractor-Trailer Holding Thousands Of Gallons Of Gasoline Explodes Into

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This image provided by the Norwalk Police Department shows the scene of a tanker fire on I-95 in Norwalk, Conn., Thursday, May 2, 2024. Both sides of I-95, the East Coast’s main north-south highway, were shut down — causing “horrendous” traffic jams — following the early morning crash involving a passenger car, a tractor-trailer and a tanker truck carrying 8,500 gallons (about 32,000 liters) of gasoline. (Norwalk Police Department via AP)

OAN’s James Meyers
9:30 AM – Thursday, May 2, 2024

A tractor-trailer filled with thousands of gallons of gasoline exploded into a mammoth fire Thursday morning on the I-95 highway in Connecticut.

🚨𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 – A massive explosion and fire has engulfed a petroleum truck beneath the Fairfield Avenue Overpass, prompting the closure of I-95 in both directions in Norwalk, Connecticut.

The crash, involving a tractor-trailer, a petroleum truck, and a passenger vehicle,… pic.twitter.com/3H9STAEPck

— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) May 2, 2024

The explosion shut down both sides of the major East Coast artery after a semi-truck carrying 8,500 gallons of gas (about 32,000 liters) crashed into a tractor trailer and a car at about 5:30 a.m., according to News 8 Connecticut.

Governor Ned Lamont (D-Conn.) stated that there were no serious injuries. He did also claim that there are large traffic jams near the Norwalk crash site and said drivers should avoid the area or stay home.

Additionally, text alerts were sent to residents of Connecticut and New York, as well as trucking companies were told to find alternative routes for travel, Lamont said.

“I know what an incredible inconvenience this is for people and all I can ask you to do is stay away from that area as best you can,” he said during a briefing in Hartford. “The traffic jams are horrendous.”

In Thursdays’ chaotic accident, the overpass was damaged but appeared to be “stable and safe,” said Scott Hill, chief engineer for the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

“Gasoline can really heat up and heat the bridge up and cause the steel to deform,” he said. “Once we figure out everything that’s associated with the safety of the traveling public and what we can and can’t do, we’ll get more updates to you.”

According to News 8 Connecticut, local hazmat teams and other authorities arrived at the crash site to clean up the hazardous material.

🚨#BREAKING: Emergency personnel’s are on the scene after a petroleum tanker truck had crashed during an accident causing a massive fire and explosion
⁰📌#Norwalk l #Connecticut

Numerous firefighters, emergency personnel, and other authorities are on the scene in NorWalk,… pic.twitter.com/9u1acLfVgF

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) May 2, 2024