A crash between a car and a fuel tanker on Interstate-471 southbound in Newport caused a massive fire and explosion, shutting down all lanes of the highway on Friday night.Three people were taken to the hospital.Crash causes fire, explosionThe crash happened around 10:10 p.m. Friday, near the Memorial Parkway exit when a car crashed into an fuel tanker, causing a massive fire and explosion.Officials said the fuel tanker overturned on its side. The fuel then ignited and flames quickly engulfed the area, leading to a massive response from emergency crews. According to a statement from the city of Newport, two children, aged 6 and 12, were transported to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital with minor injuries. An adult woman who was in the car was also taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.The driver of the tanker, a 47-year-old man, was treated at the scene and released. No other injuries were reported.Witnesses describe fire, explosionOfficials said the flames traveled through the highway drainage system to the sewer below, but no significant damage was reported.Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with explosions heard and seen. “I heard an explosion. Some people say they heard five. I heard way more than that. I mean, I could see explosions happening. Big plumes of just ash going straight up in the air,” said Jacob Adams, a witness. Another witness added, “I got so close. I could feel the heat from it.”Highway to reopen soonInterstate-471 remained closed throughout Saturday as crews worked to clean up the area.Going northbound, I-471 is closed between Alexandra Pike/US-27 through Memorial Parkway. Going southbound it’s closed between Exit 5 (Newport Bellevue) through Grand Avenue.In an update posted on Saturday afternoon, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said that it had already begun efforts to repave the highway and that crews hoped to reopen I-471 to traffic by the end of the day on Saturday.Engineers say that an overpass located near the scene of the fire was also found to have sustained some damage to its paint, but did not display any signs of further structural damage.According to KYTC, the repairs from today are meant to be temporary, and that construction workers will return to do a full resurfacing at a later date this spring.”We want to thank everyone for their patience as we make these needed repairs,” KYTC said in a statement. “We know shutting down an interstate isn’t anyone’s idea of a fun time, but it’s necessary to keep our crews and folks like you… safe.”
A crash between a car and a fuel tanker on Interstate-471 southbound in Newport caused a massive fire and explosion, shutting down all lanes of the highway on Friday night.
Three people were taken to the hospital.
Crash causes fire, explosion
The crash happened around 10:10 p.m. Friday, near the Memorial Parkway exit when a car crashed into an fuel tanker, causing a massive fire and explosion.
Officials said the fuel tanker overturned on its side. The fuel then ignited and flames quickly engulfed the area, leading to a massive response from emergency crews.
According to a statement from the city of Newport, two children, aged 6 and 12, were transported to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital with minor injuries. An adult woman who was in the car was also taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
The driver of the tanker, a 47-year-old man, was treated at the scene and released. No other injuries were reported.
Witnesses describe fire, explosion
Officials said the flames traveled through the highway drainage system to the sewer below, but no significant damage was reported.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with explosions heard and seen.
“I heard an explosion. Some people say they heard five. I heard way more than that. I mean, I could see explosions happening. Big plumes of just ash going straight up in the air,” said Jacob Adams, a witness.
Another witness added, “I got so close. I could feel the heat from it.”
Highway to reopen soon
Interstate-471 remained closed throughout Saturday as crews worked to clean up the area.
Going northbound, I-471 is closed between Alexandra Pike/US-27 through Memorial Parkway. Going southbound it’s closed between Exit 5 (Newport Bellevue) through Grand Avenue.
In an update posted on Saturday afternoon, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said that it had already begun efforts to repave the highway and that crews hoped to reopen I-471 to traffic by the end of the day on Saturday.
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Engineers say that an overpass located near the scene of the fire was also found to have sustained some damage to its paint, but did not display any signs of further structural damage.
According to KYTC, the repairs from today are meant to be temporary, and that construction workers will return to do a full resurfacing at a later date this spring.
“We want to thank everyone for their patience as we make these needed repairs,” KYTC said in a statement. “We know shutting down an interstate isn’t anyone’s idea of a fun time, but it’s necessary to keep our crews and folks like you… safe.”
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