I-95 Philadelphia mishap today: Portion of highway collapses due to fire

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A part of Interstate 95 in Northeast Philadelphia collapsed Sunday early morning after a big vehicle fire. The fire began under the overpass near the Cottman Avenue exit around 6:30 a.m., authorities said.

Investigators think a fuel tanker is the source of the fire that destabilized and lowered a whole part of the northbound lanes, according to sources.

The southbound side of the interstate has actually likewise been jeopardized due to the blaze.      

Flames might be seen soaring from the highway Sunday early morning. Thick black smoke filled the sky and traffic was dropped in that location.   

What part of I-95 is closed? 

A two-mile radius of I-95 is closed in both instructions from Allegheny and Castor Avenue (Exit 25) to Academy Road and Linden Avenue (Exit 32). The fuel tanker ignited on Princeton Avenue near the I-95 Cottman Avenue on-ramp.

This location of I-95, according to federal transport records, brings 125,000 lorries a day usually, and is a primary arterial highway in the U.S. that goes north and south along the east coast.

Flames might be seen soaring from the highway Sunday early morning. Thick black smoke filled the sky and traffic was dropped in that location.   

Tumar Alexander from the City of Philadelphia Managing Director’s Office said it will be a long period of time to resolve this highway collapse.

Detour Options/ How to navigate I-95 closure

Drivers are being asked to prevent the location. Those who were on the interstate were required to reverse.

CBS News Traffic Reporter Chandler Lutz said this is going to trigger significant traffic concerns for the foreseeable future. 

Lutz said Exit 26 was blocked, which is the Bridgeview exit, as part of the I-95 restoration job.   

Roosevelt Boulevard (Route 1) is your best option to navigate the roadway closure, Lutz said. Torresdale Avenue is likewise a detour.

If you’re heading into New Jersey, you can utilize Route 130 or 295. The Ben Franklin Bridge is likewise back open after it was briefly closed down Sunday early morning due to a bike-a-thon occasion. If you’re taking a trip northbound on I-95, you can still utilize the Betsy Ross Bridge exit (Exit 26). However, if you’re taking a trip from the Besty Ross to I-95, that location is obstructed off.

Those who prepared to take a trip on I-95 from the south need to think about the Delaware Memorial Bridges or New Jersey Turnpike. 

Avoid manholes in the location 

Several surges were likewise heard in the location, sending out manhole tops “turning like coins” into the air, CBS News Philadlephia’s Madeline Wright said.

Environmentally, its difficult to consist of a few of these unstable chemicals and combustible contaminants when there is a fire still burning because location, CBS New Philadelphia’s Joe Holdens included. Several sewage system systems and a water treatment center remain in the location, and if the burning taker burst, it might leakage into the Delaware River. 

Federal authorities are reacting to the scene.

There is likewise an ecological issue, authorities said. The U.S. Coast Guard is keeping an eye on for any prospective fuel from the vehicle that might leakage into the Delaware River. 

Air Quality Concerns

Winds are blowing off to the north, which will bring the smoke towards the north and east. 

The fire is including harmful chemicals — such as acids, sulfates and nitrates — into the air, which are extremely harmful to take in. Particulate matter, such as metals, soot, dust, tar and oil, are likewise positioning air quality issues.  

Meteorologist Tammie Souza said you might see an oily, oily movie on things from the substantial smoke plume. 

She said that if you’re to the north or east, it is advised to remain inside your home, as the area was likewise anticipated to already have actually unhealthy air quality levels Sunday due to smoke from the Canadian wildfire that we have been experiencing all week.

As of 7:30 a.m., authorities said the fire was out however it appears some areas are flaring back up. 

Sources said the lots of debris and burning fire are obstructing their efforts to make a positive decision, per a teleconference with crucial stakeholders. 

Crews are working to examine the damage left. 

Injuries are unidentified at this time, fire authorities said in an interview, as they have actually not had the ability to get close enough to the source of the fire to examine if anybody remained in the vehicle when it began. However, authorities likewise said there are no issues for next-door neighbors and no other drivers were hurt.   

1996 Tire Fire

In 1996, there was a strangely comparable event near Bridge Street when an arsonist began a huge tire fire that closed the highway for weeks and trigger a transport problem in the Philadelphia location. 

Local and Federal Response

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said he was informed on the event and is collaborating with partners in Philadelphia, New Jersey, in addition to the federal government.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg likewise tweeted that is carefully keeping an eye on the scenario and has actually used Gov. Shapiro “any support that USDOT can offer to assist with healing and restoration.”

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kennedy said he is grateful for the city’s very first responders in assisting keep everybody safe.

This is an establishing story. Check back for updates.