A heavily trafficked portion of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia has collapsed due to heat from a vehicle fire below. Officials say the northbound lanes are gone entirely. Officials say the southbound lanes have been “compromised” by the heat. In the densely populated Northeast, it’s likely that this collapse has severe consequences for interstate travelers.
Video and photo from the scene showed a massive piece of concrete collapsed onto the road below. City authorities say they’re unsure of a timeline needed for cleanup.
Early reports indicated that the fire came from a tanker truck, but officials did not immediately confirm that.An onlooker told the Associated Press that the road began buckling and eventually collapsed just moments after black smoke from the fire appeared. Explosions underground were also reported, officials attributing them to runoff from the fire or perhaps from broken gas lines.
Officials were concerned of potential environmental hazards for the nearby Delaware River.
A drone is expected to complete an assessment of the damage.
https://weather.com/news/news/2023-06-11-interstate-95-in-philadelphia-elevated-lanes-collapse-vehicle-fire