The governor of the US state of Pennsylvania is expected to issue a disaster declaration today following the collapse of an elevated portion of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia, which allegedly occurred after a tanker truck caught fire below the roadway. The damaged portion of the East Coast’s primary highway with major damage will likely take months to repair, according to sources.
The declaration from Governor Josh Shapiro will allow the state to dip into federal funds and cut through red tape to expedite repairs on the damaged roadway, which usually carries about 160,000 vehicles through the city daily, making it “likely the busiest interstate in our commonwealth,” according to Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll.
The collapse took out four traffic lanes along an elevated section of the highway, though no injuries were immediately reported.
"Companies arrived on location and they found… heavy fire from a vehicle – we don't know what type of vehicle it was," Derrick Bowmer, of the Philadelphia Fire Department, told a news conference.
Bowmer added the situation was considered a hazmat incident, but could not confirm reports that the burning vehicle was an oil tanker.
Visuals showed flames and billowing smoke coming from the site of the collapse.
Federal and local law enforcement are looking for the driver, whose whereabouts are unknown, local media reported.
The north-south highway – one of the busiest in the United States, connecting major cities along the East Coast from Maine to Florida – remains closed in both directions in the Philadelphia area, officials said.
"Avoid area. Plan and seek alternative travel routes," the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management said in a tweet.
US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said on Twitter he is offering "any assistance that USDoT can provide to help with recovery and reconstruction."
City authorities issued a series of alerts on Twitter about a tanker truck fire on the highway, which local media reported caught fire underneath the bridge, apparently causing the collapse.
Local media reported the fire started around 6:20 am (0220 GMT), when Sunday traffic is typically light.
"I will always be grateful to our first responders for the dangerous, life-saving work they do to keep residents and visitors safe," Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said on Twitter.
Residents told city media outlets that they heard several explosions, which a fire department captain told the local NBC station were coming from underground, caused by runoff from the truck.