Petroleum tanker fire shuts down major interstate

NORWALK, Conn. (WFSB/Gray News) - A petroleum tanker fire shut down both sides of Interstate 95 in Connecticut Thursday morning.

Now the plan is to take down the overpass in order to open the interstate back up.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation said the crash involved three vehicles, including the tanker and another tractor-trailer in Norwalk at about 5:30 a.m.

Flames and smoke were seen after the crash as the tanker burned underneath the Fairfield Avenue overpass.

The overpass was shut down as a result of the crash and the Norwalk fire chief said crews plan to take down the overpass so that the interstate can be reopened.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said the tanker carried 8,500 gallons of gasoline. The department confirmed that some fuel did make it into the water and a boom operation was set up.

“The catch basin system which runs along I-95 drains into Norwalk Harbor, so marine units, both private and from various police and fire departments, are in the water preparing for the possibility of product from the accident reaching the water,” said Paul Copleman, DEEP spokesperson.

Major delays were reported in the area as traffic was detoured off the interstate in both directions. Traffic on local roads has also been impacted.

One man reported abruptly being met with chaos as soon as he opened his door.

“It’s a lot to process,” Charles, a neighbor who did not provide his last name, said. “I’ve never seen, I didn’t even know the wires were on the bridge. I’m like ‘Wow, so it’s affecting the traffic a lot.’”

Minor injuries have been reported in connection to the incident. The cause of the crash has yet to be determined.

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