Sunday, May 24, 2015

9,000 GALLONS OF FUEL UP IN SMOKE AFTER MASSIVE TANKER EXPLOSION IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN. FUEL ALSO REACHED THE CITY SEWERS
















MAY 24, 2015

DETROIT, MICHIGAN

Crews are working to clear a massive tanker explosion that shut down portions of I-75 in Detroit today as thousands of drivers head into the city for the Movement Festival at Hart Plaza and Tigers game at Comerica Park.

As of 2:55 p.m., southbound I-75 is reopened from the Chrysler to Fisher Freeway but northbound I-75 in that area remains closed, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. Michigan State Police First Lt. Michael Shaw said southbound I-375 has reopened. Also closed: the northbound M-10 ramp to northbound I-75, the southbound M-10 ramp to northbound I-75.

Shaw said the tanker has been cleared from the ramp and MDOT crews are continuing road inspections on the northbound side of the freeway. 

MDOT spokeswoman Diane Cross said she has "no idea yet" on when the remainder of the freeway will reopen.

"My guess is it will be closed, but it's unknown for how long," Cross said. "Bridge inspectors are still working."

Earlier, Cross said the fire has been put out, but police and emergency crews are now checking for gasoline leakage in sewer systems. Traffic on I-75 came to a halt as crews attempt to put out the fire.

Shaw said the driver of the Nour Light Petroleum Transport truck out of Dearborn was able to escape the explosion with no injuries. He said police are not releasing the name of the driver.

"The driver was able to get out before the tanker caught fire and is currently with our troopers," Shaw said.

He said MSP began to receive 911 calls around 8:45 a.m. referencing a possible tanker explosion.

Shaw said northbound I-75 is shut down at I-375. Southbound I-75 traffic is being rerouted by troopers at the scene.

LIVE on #Periscope: Live video of what appears to be a massive vehicle fire that has shut down I-75 in Detroit. https://t.co/9Qddfd6h6Y
— Nathan Bomey (@NathanBomey) May 24, 2015

Shaw said the tanker was carrying 9,000 gallons of unleaded fuel. And MDOT will need to determine the stability of the bridge. There's no timetable on when the freeway will reopen.

Curtrise Garner, spokeswoman for the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, said the city's water supply was not contaminated by the fuel, which flowed into the sewer system. Garner said she doesn't know how much gas actually flowed into the sewer system.

"There is absolutely no contamination at all," she said. "We haven't received any calls from residents saying that the water tastes weird or smells funny. It does go into our sewer system, but our waste water is equipped for any hazard that comes through. The gas is going through the system and we're going to treat it. There is no harm to the environment."

A truck has flipped over and is on fire on I-75 in #Detroitpic.twitter.com/WLsoXuQHiy
— Brent Snavely (@BrentSnavely) May 24, 2015

Shaw said crews are still working to determine how the fire started. Shaw said he cannot confirm reports that the tanker rolled over.

"We are not sure about that," he said. "It does not appear that is the case."

The Detroit Tigers are set to take on the Houston Astros at 1:08 p.m. at Comerica Park. And the Movement festival opened at noon at Hart Plaza. Fans and attendees are encouraged to check traffic updates before heading downtown.
 Source: http://www.freep.com