Wednesday, March 11, 2015

12,000 GALLONS UP IN SMOKE, AFTER TANKER TRUCK EXPLODES FOLLOWING COLLISION WITH VEHICLE(S). OTHER VEHICLES ON FIRE ON I-94 IN MICHIGAN. SEWER DRAINS ON FIRE AS WELL.
























MARCH 11, 2015




DEARBORN, MICHIGAN (WJBK)




Interstate-94 is closed in Dearborn around the Wyoming Exit after a large fire caused by a tanker explosion. 




The fire began around 11:15 a.m. Wednesday. Crews battled the blaze for nearly two hours before the fire appeared to be extinguished. 




Chopper video showed several other vehicles to be involved at the scene. At least one other vehicle was also seen on fire.   The car probably cut off the tanker truck, there was a collison and then the fire and subsequent explosion of the tanker.  If the drivers did not get out on time, then they would have been killed in this massive fire.




The fire also began to spread to the grass on the embankment. Dearborn firefighters are also reporting the fire has also spread to the sewer drains. 



That stretch of I-94 is shut down right now. MDOT is also asking that drivers traveling on eastbound I-94 to get off at Southfield, and drivers traveling on westbound I-94 get off at I-96.




No word yet on what caused the tanker to explode. Lt. Michael Shaw with the Michigan State Police tells FOX 2 a petroleum product was on board. Therefore, fire crews can be seen on video using a foam to smother the fire, instead of using water. 




He says authorities are evaluating if this is a hazmat situation that would require evacuations. No warning or evacuation has been issued at this time. 



Rob Morosi of MDOT tells FOX 2 it may be "several days" before we know the entire impact of the fire. Officials estimate that area of I-94 will be closed throughout the afternoon, and likely into the evening rush hour. 




The driver of the tanker is okay. Dearborn firefighters say he was transported with minor injuries to a nearby hospital. 




The condition of the other drivers is now known at this time, although we're told there are no fatalities. 



Source: www.myfoxdetroit.com