Posted on 10/22/2009 8:11:08 AM PDT by gura
Tanker explodes on I-465 ramp
Indianapolis - A semi tanker has exploded on the southbound ramp from I-69 to I-465.
The fire from the vehicle is creating dark plumes of black smoke which can be seen for miles. A second alarm has been requested to the scene. Views from a tower cam show that the billboards are also on fire.
The accident is causing large back-ups on I-465. The crash is before the Allisonville Road exit.
Injuries are being reported. Witnesses reported hearing loud noises.
Witness Danielle Smith was on 465 headed to Keystone at the Crossing. In her rear-view mirror, she saw a wall of flames.
"I didn't know if it was a truck or a building or anything like that. All the traffic started slowing down," she said.
After the flames, Smith said she saw a lot of smoke. She wasn't sure what type of vehicle was involved.
SkyTrak Weather meteorologist Chuck Lofton says the small fires that broke out along the interstate were aided by the wind, which has picked up to 20 mph.
Yep. A tanker exploding will do that. I saw one once. When my son was still in a baby seat sitting in the living room, and I looked out the side window and saw a huge ball of flames, then thick black smoke. A tanker tipped on its’ side and burst into flames.
Update:
http://www.indystar.com/article/20091022/LOCAL/91022016/Crews+fight+Northeastside+tanker+fire
No one killed(not even the driver) according to reports. Propane truck.
Prayers for the driver and any in the danger zone -
Is it on a surface road, or is it on/under a bridge? I want to hear about how fire can't melt steel again.
A couple days ago I was caught in heavy traffic with many aggressive drivers. For a short time I got stuck behind a tanker with a 1203 placard. People kept whipping around him, cutting him off, speeding up behind him, etc. It almost looked like they were aiming for him. The way they were driving was stupid under any circumstances, but are people so stupid they don’t recognize a tanker full of gasoline as a potential danger?
I wonder if similar behavior caused this tragedy.
its on 69 at Binford.
Oh, thank God.
Yeah, most Indiana people don't say "the" I-465.
A similar incident happened on I-285 in Atlanta a few years ago. Fire was so hot, it melted half of the overpass before they got it put out. Took them months to repair it.
No government subsidies for the opposition, so
they have to sell ads.
What? You mean the owner is trying to make money? That means it can't be a real news channel according to the obama folks.
Having grown up in Indy, and having family there still, I can attest that they drive like maniacs on I465.
Those are some brave folks, either before the fire started or after. If after, they must have been a bit fried, too.
A similar incident happened in Rochester NY a few years ago. Fire was so hot, it destroyed a block of homes from outright burning down to melting vinyl sidings off. Took them months to raze the neighborhood.
This is one of the busiest areas in the city, if not the busiest...Hope they can contain this.
Any links to the T.V. traffic copter mentioned in the article?
I could not find it...
Companies tend to put their ad money where it will give them the most exposure...
The local media outlets will have footage before too long (if not already). One report said that the traffic cam near the scene was believed to have melted.
Wasn’t one of my trucks, they’re hauling to Cincinnati today.
Can you imagine, like T Boone Pickens does, every truck running on ‘liquified natural gas’?
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