Fire officials: Large tractor-trailer fire closes I-95 between exits 15 and 14

DETOUR INFORMATION:

Norwalk police said the following roads have been closed to help detour traffic throughout the city:

Fairfield Avenue is closed from Cedar Street to Connecticut Avenue.

Cedar Street is closed eastbound from Connecticut Avenue to Fairfield Avenue and is closed in both directions from Fairfield Avenue to Reed Street.

Stuart Avenue is closed southbound from Connecticut Avenue to Reed Street

A truck fire on I-95 south between exits 15 and 14 in Norwalk shut down the interstate for most of Thursday.

State police say it happened around 5:30 a.m.

The large fire involved a petroleum tractor-trailer, a tanker and a car. The tanker truck was carrying 8,500 gallons of petroleum, fire officials say.

There were no fatalities in the incident, officials say.

A firefighter sustained a leg injury and was taken to Norwalk Hospital.

Norwalk fire officials said the flames that came from the petroleum tanker, the tractor-trailer, the car and the power lines were put in about an hour.

"We had every engine in the city here. As soon as they came we got foam flowing. The fire went out quickly. It just took a while to get foam on the fire," says Deputy Chief Stephen Shay.

Extensive damage was caused to the Fairfield Avenue overpass bridge.

News 12's Tom Krosnowski’s earlier coverage:

Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday morning that the highway was anticipated to be closed for a significant period of time. Lamont recommended staying away from the area due to traffic jams. There is no word yet on when the road will reopen.

"Anyone traveling through this area should find alternate routes," Lamont said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Traffic has been detoured off of I-95 and on to Connecticut Avenue.

A hazardous materials investigation is underway.

News 12's Tom Krosnowski’s earlier coverage:

Residents who live near the Fairfield Avenue overpass told News 12 they felt the impacts of the accident.

"My whole building shook. I was like, 'What's going on?' It shook like three times. I looked out the window, and all I saw was flames. I heard these little pops - popping, popping popping and that's when we knew something was bad," says Lawrence Taylor.

Taylor says he was also concerned by the pungent diesel odor that wafted over the area.

"Oh, it's terrible. This smell, it's got to be hazardous. My wife and I, we've got the windows closed, so we're pretty good. I think everyone should stay inside for now," he says.

News 12's Tom Krosnowski’s earlier coverage:

Several people News 12 spoke with said the accident impacted their commutes and normal traffic routines.

"I saw the highway was closed, left early and it still took an hour and a half to get here from Stratford. Oh, this is bad. There's no way to get around. All the roads are blocked off and nobody cares," says Jerry Millbauer.

"There's no way around I-95 easily. There's the Merritt Parkway, but for the tractor trailers, they've got to go through the side streets," says Shay.

News 12's Tom Krosnowski’s earlier coverage:

SCHOOL IMPACTS:

Norwalk Public Schools originally said the closure caused major delays for school bus service this morning. The district proceeded with a normal dismissal process this afternoon and schools released students at their regular times.

Norwalk Public Schools announced they will be closed Friday.

Fairfield Public Schools also said out-of-district buses might have been delayed do to the fire activity this morning. As of 1:09 p.m. , Fairfield officials said the traffic situation may potentially cause bus delays this afternoon.