BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) – A fuel oil tanker truck crashed on an elevated section of Interstate 95 Thursday night and started a fire that burned out of control, possibly destroying both the northbound and southbound bridges on the heavily congested highway, state police said.
Only minor injuries were reported, but there was a gaping hole in one of the bridges, said Sgt. J. Paul Vance, a state police spokesman.
The highway may be closed for days or weeks because of the damage, Vance said. He said engineers would be assessing the damage.
“The road is completely on fire,” Vance said. “The fire is out of control.”
A bystander told The Associated Press that he heard several explosions and flames were shooting 50 feet into the air.
The highway was shutdown in both directions between exits 25 to 26.
Motorists were being detoured to local streets.
in Bridgeport.
I-95 is a vital artery connecting the New York area to Connecticut and the rest of New England.
AP-ES-03-25-04 2210EST
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