Officials say it may take months to rebuild a section of the busy I-95 in Philadelphia that collapsed after a tanker truck caught fire beneath.

 

According to Pennsylvania officials, it may take months to fix a piece of Philadelphia's northbound I-95 that collapsed after a tanker truck caught fire below the highway on Sunday morning, causing delays for local commuters and shutting off a key East Coast route.

At a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro revealed that the commercial tanker truck, which was transporting a petroleum-based substance, is still pinned beneath the crumbling roadway.

The fire and fall, which happened at approximately 6:20 in the morning, are under investigation by authorities, according to the governor.

Shapiro estimated that it would take "some number of months" to restore the roadway. The official stated that his office was "looking at alternatives to connect the roadway beyond detours" and was collaborating with federal colleagues on the issue.

The governor stated, "All hands are on deck to repair this as safely and effectively as possible.

Shapiro claimed to have seen "remarkable devastation" when flying over the area.

He said that it was a "devastating site - one that our first responders, law enforcement, and others contained very, very quickly." "I found myself thanking the Lord that no motorists who were on I-95 were injured or died," he said.

Jim Kenney, the mayor of Philadelphia, claims that the fire is currently under control. At the news conference, he stated, "We are encouraging locals to kindly avoid the region and arrange for alternate routes of travel. "In addition to road closures, we anticipate delays on local SEPTA bus routes and trash pickup."

According to the fire department, fire teams are still there in case the fire flares back up.

The collapse's cause was originally described by officials.

Derek Bowmer, battalion chief for the Philadelphia Fire Department, revealed during a press conference on Sunday morning that "we did have a collapse of 95 on the northbound side, and the southbound side is compromised by heavy fire." "Under the underpass, it appeared that there was a significant amount of heat and fire."

According to Bowmer, the explosions near the highway collapse were brought on by "runoff of perhaps some fuel or gas lines that could have been compromised by the accident." "Those manholes are on fire," someone said.

The fire marshal and other collaborators are looking into the fire, according to Bowmer.

Huge smoke plumes can be seen rising from the motorway in pictures and videos taken at the incident.

Officials will have to deal with the collapse and the fire for a considerable amount of time, according to Dominick Mireles, head of Philadelphia's Office of Emergency Management.

It will be a long day today. It will take much longer because 95 Northbound is already closed, and 95 Southbound is uncertain, Mireles added. "The road is no more."

According to Tumar Alexander, managing director for the City of Philadelphia, the tragedy will "be a significant impact on this community for a while."

Although the precise cost of fixing the vital route is still unknown, the governor told reporters on Sunday that Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg "made it clear that whatever resources needed to rebuild I-95, safely and expeditiously, will be provided" to the state.

In a Sunday morning tweet, the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management advised travelers to avoid the region and look for other routes.

Following the event, the US Coast Guard is keeping an eye out for any potential water contamination.

"A station Philadelphia 29-foot boat was deployed to the location to check for any river contamination. The sheen on the water, according to their report, appears to be contained to the Cove, according to the Coast Guard's statement. "The material is petrol, and the tanker might leak up to 8500 gallons of liquid. However, it has been informed to us that the majority of the cleanup work is beachside, or on land.

The Philadelphia Water Department tweeted that the collapse has not had an impact on the city's drinking water quality.

 The region will have "significant impacts" from collapse.

 

According to Buttigieg, the highway's collapse and subsequent closure will have a significant impact on local travel.

"This is a major artery for people and goods, and the closure will have significant impacts on the city and region until reconstruction and recovery are complete," Buttigieg said on Twitter. "During the process of I-95 returning to normal," said the agency, "our department will be there with support."

According to the White House, President Joe Biden has received a briefing on the crash.

Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, and Jim Kenney, the mayor of Philadelphia, were both mentioned in the tweet. "The President has been briefed on the collapse and White House officials have been in contact with Governor Shapiro and Mayor Kenney's offices to offer assistance," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wrote.

Jim Kenney, the mayor of Philadelphia, thanked first responders on social media.

The mayor posted on Twitter, "City agencies are working with our state partners to respond to the partial collapse of I-95 from a vehicle fire." "Please stay away from the area and make other travel arrangements. We'll keep you informed about this situation.

In a later tweet, he continued, "I will always be thankful to our first responders for the risky, life-saving job they perform to keep residents and tourists safe.

According to a Sunday Twitter thread, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has also received a briefing on the collapse.

"@PEMAHQ, @PennDOTNews, and @PAStatePolice just gave me a briefing on the I-95 fire and collapse in Philadelphia. The governor said on his verified Twitter account, "State Police, PEMA, and his team are on the site aiding local first responders, and @PennDOTSec and his team are on their way to assess the situation and solve traffic requirements.

In close collaboration with allies in Philadelphia, New Jersey, and the federal government, @LTGDavis and I will release more details as soon as we receive them. Please stay away from the area for the time being and go where the first responders are directing you.

According to a representative for the government Highway Administration, administrator Shailen Bhatt will visit Philadelphia on Monday to "offer federal support and assistance."

The National Transportation Safety Board also announced through Twitter on Sunday that it will send a team to Philadelphia to look into the collapse.

"The NTSB, in coordination with the Pennsylvania State Police, is sending a team to conduct a safety investigation into the gasoline tanker truck fire and the collapse of the I-95 N flyover in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this morning," the agency stated.

No injuries have been reported by authorities.

Between Miami, Florida, and the Canadian border in Maine, Interstate 95 runs north to south.