On Interstate 95 in Connecticut early on Thursday night, a cargo truck carrying about 8,500 gallons of gas slammed into a tractor-trailer and caught fire, shutting down both sides of the bridge.
Near Exit 15 and the Fairfield Avenue bridge, the ship struck the trailer and a passenger car, according to the Hartford Courant.
Local fire crews, the Department of Transportation ( DOT ), the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection ( DEEP), and the energy company Eversource were called to the scene after the crash happened around 5:00 a.m.
No serious accidents were reported by Connecticut State Police.
The ship flames on I95 is still being treated by emergency crews. Our soldiers are rerouting the city’s visitors. We advise anyone to look for alternative routes and allow yourself more time to travel.
Visit https ://t.co/PlgKTLuQZ5 for more upgrades photograph. twitter.com/fc2eGhFP1z
— Norwalk, CT Police ( @NorwalkCtPD ) May 2, 2024
The cargo trailer lost about half of the oil in the flames, according to DEEP. Authorities said later in the afternoon that the car could n’t be moved until the tanker’s remaining fuel was drained.
No discharge was able to enter the local Norwalk River, according to officials.
DEEP even confirmed that the weather quality was sound.
DEEP Team conducted weather tracking at the picture, and no adverse effects to air quality were reported. This could have been the result of today’s fire on I-95.
— DEEP (@CTDEEPNews ) May 2, 2024
” All should continue avoiding the area”, said Gov. Ned Lamont ( D) on X. The northern and eastbound lanes close to Exit 15 will remain closed for an extended period of time.
Additionally, he made the announcement that a media conference would be held in the evening.  ,
At 5:00 PM, we may carry a second news briefing to explore all the most recent information regarding Norwalk’s I-95 situation.
People should continue to avoid the place. Near Exit 15, both the northern and westbound lanes will stay closed for an extended period of time.
— Governor Ned Lamont ( @GovNedLamont ) May 2, 2024
Pete Buttigieg, the DOT minister, acknowledged the affair on X, stating that his company’s bridge group is “working attentively with Connecticut’s DOT on the tanker fire that has closed I- 95 in Norwalk.”
” At all times, take caution when making excursions and stay away from the place.” The first firefighters are handling the flames and protecting other vehicles, Buttigieg continued.
Our routes team is working carefully with Connecticut’s DOT on the ship fire that has closed I- 95 in Norwalk. When making excursions, pay attention to the local government and avoid the area as much as you can. Bless you to the first responders for containing the fire and keeping different vehicles safe.
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg ( @SecretaryPete ) May 2, 2024
At a later that day’s appropriations committee meeting, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) also mentioned the ferocity, saying that I-95 might be closed” for times depending on how quickly we’re able to make that gate structurally sound and understand the extent of the energy leakage.”
