At least one person is killed after fuel tanker EXPLODES on Connecticut bridge, bringing traffic to a standstill on I-95 as blaze spreads to nearby buildings
- Authorities have confirmed that one person has died after the tanker rolled over on the Gold Star Memorial Bridge
- Connecticut State Police also confirmed that there were buildings on fire below the bridge
A fuel tanker rollover has sparked a huge fire and killed one on Interstate 95 on the Gold Star Memorial Bridge.
Emergency services are working to put out the blaze in Groton, Connecticut, after the vehicle toppled over on Friday morning.
New London Mayor Michael Passero confirmed that the driver of the tanker was killed. It’s unclear what caused the accident, which has left two people injured.
Dramatic footage showed plumes of smoke rising from the bridge as the fire continues to burn.
It crosses the Thames River and sits just a few thousand feet back from the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean.
Emergency services are working to put out the blaze in Groton, Connecticut, after the vehicle toppled over on Friday morning
Another disturbing image shows flames and smoke billowing from the bridge and was shot from a car driving past the inferno
New London Mayor Michael Passero confirmed that one person was killed by Friday’s explosion on the Gold Star Bridge in Groton, but gave no further details
Connecticut State Police tweeted this photo of fire trucks and first responders at the scene of the blaze on the bridge, which crosses the Thames River and sits just a few thousand feet back from the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean
The Department of Transportation has closed the road between exits 86 and 84, with the bridge’s southern side closed for structural inspection.
Sgt. Joseph Pelchat, New London Police Department said: ‘Due to a serious motor vehicle accident on the Gold Star Bridge, both lanes of I-95 are shut down and the bridge is closed to traffic. Expect potential major delays.’
Connecticut State Police also confirmed that there were buildings on fire below the bridge, with injuries being reported though it is unclear how severe they are.
Groton Mayor Keith Kedrick said the fire melted some of the guardrails, meaning engineers would have to come in and evaluate the southbound side of the bridge.
The Naval Submarine Base in New London sent its firefighters to help with the fire, but the blaze had no impact on the sub-base which remains open for normal operations.
Footage shows the blaze traveling down the side of the bridge as emergency service battle to contain it
Huge smoke plumes were visible from miles away as the blaze continued to burn
The south side of the bridge remains closed due to structural damage from the fire