Section of I-95 in Philadelphia collapses after tanker fire

() — A section of northbound I-95 in Philadelphia collapsed after a tanker truck caught fire under the highway, Philadelphia officials said Sunday morning.

“We had a collapse on the 95 north side, and the south side is compromised by heavy fire,” Derek Bowmer, battalion chief for the Philadelphia Fire Department, said during a news conference Sunday morning. “It looked like it was very hot and very firey under the underpass.”

The explosions around the highway collapse were caused by “runoff from perhaps some fuel or gas lines that might have been compromised by the accident,” Bowmer claimed.

“We have fire coming out of those sewers,” Bowmer said.

Photos and video from the scene show huge plumes of smoke billowing from the interstate.

The mayor’s office told that a large tanker truck fire caused the collapse. The highway is closed in both directions around the area and the fire is under control, according to Sarah Peterson, director of communications for the bureau.

Dominick Mireles, director of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, said officials would be dealing with the cave-in and fire for quite some time.

“It will be a long day. And obviously, with 95 northbound affected and closed to the south, it’s going to be even longer than that,” Mireles said. “The road was erased.”

Tumar Alexander, managing director for the city of Philadelphia, said the incident “will have a significant impact on this community for a while.”

“95 is going to be affected for a long time,” Alexander said during the news conference.

The fire marshal and other allies are investigating the fire, Bowmer added during the news conference.

The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management urged travelers Sunday morning to avoid the area and look for alternative routes.

A side view shows the partial collapse of Interstate 95 after a fire under a Philadelphia overpass. Credit: City of Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management/Reuters

The US Coast Guard is monitoring possible water contamination after the incident.

“A 29-foot boat was launched from the Philadelphia station to the scene to observe any contamination in the waterways. They reported there is a shimmer in the water, but it appears to be confined to the cove,” the Coast Guard statement said. “The substance is gasoline and the tanker has the potential to spill 8,500 gallons. However, we have been informed that the cleanup efforts are mainly taking place on the coast, that is, on land.

The collapse has not affected the quality of the city’s drinking water, according to a tweet from the Philadelphia Water Department.

The collapse will have “significant impacts” on the region

The collapse and ensuing closure of the highway will have serious ramifications for travel in the region, according to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

“This is an important artery for people and property, and the closure will have a significant impact on the city and region until rebuilding and recovery is complete,” Buttigieg wrote on Twitter.. “Our department will be there with support throughout the process of getting I-95 back on track.”

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney expressed his gratitude to first responders on social media.

“City agencies are working with our state partners to respond to the partial collapse of I-95 due to a vehicle fire,” the mayor wrote on Twitter. “Avoid the area and plan alternate routes of travel. We will continue to provide updates on this incident.”

“I will always be grateful to our first responders for the dangerous and vital work they do to keep residents and visitors safe,” he added in a statement. Tweet later.

A spokesman for the Federal Highway Administration said Administrator Shailen Bhatt would be in Philadelphia on Monday to “offer federal support and assistance.”

Authorities have not reported any injuries.

Interstate 95 runs north-south from the Canadian border in Maine to Miami, Florida.