A section of I-95 in Philadelphia collapsed after a tanker truck carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline crashed and turned over on a northbound exit ramp. The resulting fire and smoke were seen from miles around and knocked one of the most congested roads in the country out of commission for months.
Multiple videos from passers-by show the extensive flames and the failing highway moments before its collapse. Amazingly, there have yet to be any injuries reported.
@barb_wire I-95 This morning 10-15mins after this video it collapsed, So scary, with hubby @Pedro271987 #philly #phillytiktok #i95northbound #Thankful #trending ♬ Highway to Hell - AC/DC
@da_mahican_paris Since the news is spreading…. Music - Philadelphia Freedom (Elton John) Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Theme Song) Credit to WTTF Podcast [IG] & Philadelphia News Stations #fyp #foryourpage #foryoupage #pacheck #philadelphia #pennsylvaniacheck #philadelphiafiredepartment #philadelphiapa #cityofphiladelphia #philadelphiafreedom #philadelphiafreeway #i95shutdown #bridgecollapse #philadelphianews ♬ Philadelphia Freedom - Elton John
@cbsnews A section of the I-95 interstate in #Philadelphia collapsed after a large vehicle #fire broke out on the overpass, according to authorities. #news ♬ original sound - cbsnews
“It felt like you drove off a curb,” Mike Fusetti, one of those drivers, told CNN. “I see 95 – all of the cars stopping and then I learned, shortly after that the road had just collapsed and what was really going on.”
With the tanker located underneath the highway, firefighters reportedly had difficulty combating the blaze.
“It looked like we had a lot of heat and heavy fire underneath the underpass,” Philadelphia Fire Department Battalion Chief Derek Bowmer said.
Explosions from nearby fuel and gas lines also might have been responsible for helping bring down the highway.
State and federal assistance has been provided to help with I-95’s cleanup and rebuilding efforts, but officials claim it may take months before both sides of the highway are re-opened. According to the head of the National Transportation Safety Board Jennifer Homendy, the bridge’s design is also under evaluation.
The accident is under investigation, and Homendy stated that crews will know more once they reach the tanker’s cab. In the meantime, get ready for crappy Philly traffic to get even worse.
@usatoday A vehicle fire shut down I-95 southbound in Philadelphia after a portion of the road collapsed Sunday morning, state officials said. The state DOT first reported the fire around 6:40 a.m. local time. #philadelphia #i95shutdown ♬ original sound - USA TODAY
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