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INDIANAPOLIS — A large propane tanker truck explosion and fire on an Interstate 465 on-ramp Thursday morning caused the closure of that interstate and Interstate 69 on Indianapolis’ northeast side and injured at least two people.

Flames surged hundreds of feet into the air immediately following the explosion, which happened just after 10:30 a.m. on the ramp from southbound Interstate 69 to southbound I-465.

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Video: Large Explosion, Fire Closes I-465
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Witness Matt Stevens said he was walking outside with a friend when the explosion happened and could feel the heat, even though he was a mile or two away from it.

“It was like a thunder boom,” said witness Matt Stevens. “It was so strange. This little flame turned into … this huge ball.”

The explosion appeared to have happened beneath an I-465 bridge. Crews said the road will remain closed because of possible structural problems with the bridge caused by the blast.

The Indiana Department of Transportation dispatched structural engineers to the scene, said Indiana State Police Sgt. Anthony Emery, but they had not yet been given clearance to begin inspections as of early Thursday afternoon.

Other vehicles were involved in the fire, and one person was injured when glass shattered the windshield of a nearby car.

“I did see a number of vehicles coming out of the flames that had a little smoke, a little fire to them, but they weren’t completely engulfed,” said witness Steve Stevens.

The truck’s driver was also injured, but his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. He was taken to Methodist Hospital and had been talking to police, Emery said.

Lonnie Hood, who was doing construction work at a nearby apartment complex, heard the explosion and saw the truck’s driver trying to get out.

He and another man were able to get the door open, after which the driver fell into their laps.

It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion, but there was still a substantial amount of fire and quite a bit of smoke rising from the scene more than an hour later as firefighters battled the blaze.

Flames were apparently strong enough to damage billboards and communication equipment alongside the interstate. There was also a large traffic backup in the area.

“I was sitting at my desk and I heard what I thought was a small earthquake,” said one witness, who works nearby. “I went outside, and there was a big mushroom cloud. The cell tower was on fire at the top.”

People in office buildings nearby said the explosion was so strong that it shook the buildings.

I-465 eastbound is closed at U.S. 31. All eastbound I-465 entrance ramps east of that location are closed, Emery said.

Traffic must exit at exit 31 and go north or south. Any traffic traveling eastbound to to I-69 will be diverted northbound on U.S. 31 to State Road 28, then eastbound on 28 to I-69.

I-465 northbound is closed at exit 44, which is Interstate 70. All northbound I-465 entrance ramps north of that location are closed.

I-69 southbound is closed at exit 22, which is State Road 67 in Madison County. Traffic will be diverted southbound on 67 to State Road 9 and then back to I-70. All southbound I-69 entrance ramps south of that location are closed.

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