A catastrophic multi-vehicle accident involving a tanker truck, a tractor-trailer and a passenger car closed I-95 in both directions early Thursday morning, causing major traffic congestion throughout the area.
According to abc7 NY, the accident occurred around 5:30 a.m. near Exit 15 in the southbound lane of I-95 at the Fairfield Avenue overpass in Norwalk, Connecticut.
The tanker, which was carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline, was severely damaged in the accident and caused a massive fire.
BREAKING: A tanker truck exploded after colliding with another vehicle on I-95 in Norwalk, Connecticut. pic.twitter.com/zXT6BRQiB0
— General (@GeneralMCNews) May 2, 2024
#break in: Emergency crews are at the scene after a tanker truck collided in an accident, causing a massive fire and explosion
⁰#norwalk I #ConnecticutNumerous firefighters, first responders and other authorities are on scene at NorWalk… pic.twitter.com/9u1acLfVgF
— RAWSALERTS (@rawsalerts) May 2, 2024
Miraculously, no injuries were reported following the incident. Authorities have confirmed that despite the severity of the fire, there is no immediate risk of structural collapse.
“Paul Rizzo, director of the Department of Transportation’s Highway Operations Bureau, emphasized that although the bridge was damaged, it was not in imminent danger of collapse. However, the accident investigation will take at least three hours to complete, and the damaged utility lines under the bridge still need to be completed.” The utility company conducts an assessment. The long-term structural integrity of the bridge also needs to be assessed because gasoline burns at temperatures high enough to cause severe deformation,” Westfair Business Journal reported.
The news outlet added, “State Emergency Management Agency Director William Turner also explained that while 6,500 gallons of fuel burned or flowed into the Norwalk River during the fire, there was still some fuel left that needed to be removed. Firefighting Foam and Outflow The unlit fuel is currently the subject of a booming campaign by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to minimize ecological damage.
State Emergency Management Director William Turner provided an update on the environmental impact of the accident.
“Approximately 6,500 gallons of gasoline were either consumed by the fire or leaked into the surrounding environment. Our response teams are currently conducting cleanup operations along the Norwalk River. This effort includes participation from local and state hazardous materials teams who are carefully handling the aftermath matter,” Turner said.
Gov. Ned Lamont (D) has been actively coordinating with federal authorities to respond to the crisis. He referred to his discussions with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, emphasizing that federal support is on standby to assist with the ongoing situation.
I will be holding a press conference at 9:30 this morning to provide an update on the status of I-95 in Norwalk. We expect highways in the area to be closed for an extended period of time. Anyone traveling through the area should seek alternative routes.
— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) May 2, 2024
The northbound and southbound lanes of I-95 Exit 15 are expected to be closed for an extended period due to severe damage and ongoing safety inspections. The exact timeline for reopening remains uncertain as investigations and repairs are ongoing.
The blockade caused significant traffic disruptions, with thousands of vehicles, including many tractor-trailers, being diverted to local roads, exacerbating traffic conditions in and around Norwalk.
