At approximately 06:20 in the morning (13:20 Greek time) yesterday, a fire broke out in a tanker that was under I-95, resulting in the collapse of four lanes of the highway.
Severe traffic problems in the US Northeast are expected in the coming days, after the collapse, yesterday Sunday, part of it highway I-95 in the USone of the busiest in the country, with authorities warning that it will take many months to restore the road axis.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said during a press conference on Sunday afternoon that none of the drivers on I-95 were injured. Around 06:20 in the morning (13:20 Greek time) yesterday fire broke out in a tanker truck under I-95, causing four lanes of the freeway to collapse.
Dramatic images from local television networks showed a huge cloud of black smoke rising and four lanes of traffic collapsing. “This morning (Sunday morning) a large fire under I-95 (…) caused the freeway to collapse,” confirmed Sarah Peterson, spokeswoman for the City of Philadelphia. “Firefighters arrived on scene and were confronted (…) with a large fire coming from a vehicle,” added city fire chief Derek Bowmer.
“Important thoroughfare”
I-95 is a major thoroughfare east coast of the USA. Its closure at the northeast entrance to Philadelphia, a city of about 1.5 million residents, is expected to cause severe problems for traffic to and from New York. The highway stretches for more than 3,000 kilometers and connects the state of Maine, in the northeastern tip of the USA, with Miami, Florida’s largest city in the southeast.
“It is an important thoroughfare for citizens and goods and its closure will have serious consequences for the city and region until restoration work is complete,” US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttizage tweeted. He clarified that The vehicle from which the fire started it was a tanker and thanked the firefighters and other rescue crews who intervened.
Local media reported that Philadelphia police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) they are looking for the driver of the tanker, whose fate is unknown.
Work to restore the highway could take weeks and Buttijaz warned drivers there would be “severe traffic problems”. “I-95 will be affected for a very long time,” noted Tumar Alexander, general manager of Philadelphia services, as reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper. “(Pennsylvania) state agencies are working to address the impact on local residents and travelers affected by the highway closure,” Peterson said. Governor Shapiro, for his part, said he will declare a state of disaster today in order to free up funds to repair I-95.
US President Joe Biden has been informed of the situation and his aides are in contact with local authorities to offer assistance, White House spokeswoman Karin Jean-Pierre said on Twitter.
Source :Skai
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
