A fuel tanker fire on Interstate 471 shut down a section of Newport highway late on Friday, March 13.
The highway remains shut on March 14 ahead of an afternoon Cincinnati Cyclones game at Heritage Bank Center.
Here’s what we know.
Where was the fire?
The crash occurred on I-471 at about 10:10 p.m. near Memorial Parkway, city officials said in a statement to WLWT 5. The overpass serves as the exit for the Newport Pavilion shopping center.
Officials said the crash caused the fuel tanker to overturn on its side. Its fuel then ignited and flames quickly engulfed the area, leading to a massive response from emergency crews from multiple departments.
Darrin Becker of Newport said he was on the job as an Uber delivery driver in Bellevue when he a saw a bright light go up in the air, “like if the sun came out for a minute.”
The fire was mostly extinguished by 11:30 p.m.
Was anyone injured?
WLWT 5 reported two children, ages 6 and 12, and a woman who were in the vehicle were transported to local hospitals, all with minor injuries, according to the city’s statement. A 47-year-old man who driving the tanker was treated and released at the scene.
Highway closed ‘until further notice’
According to OHGO, the Ohio Department of Transportation’s real-time traffic map, both directions of the highway are closed from the Big Mac bridge to Alexandria Pike – about a 5-mile stretch. As of 11 a.m., the map shows that only the southbound lanes on the Big Mac bridge are closed, while the northbound lanes remain open.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said in a news release the “interstate will be blocked until further notice,” adding that it will will provide an update on social media once it reopens.
Crews are set to begin milling and paving operations while others assess damage to the Memorial Parkway overpass, officials said in the 11:30 a.m. release.
An Enquirer reporter on scene saw an assortment of a dozen vehicles cleaning debris and removing ash just before noon. Dust formed large clouds around the overpass as officials worked.
WLWT 5 reported flames traveled through the highway drainage system to the sewer below, but no significant damage was reported.
Officials advised the following detours:
Heavy traffic expected soon
A Cincinnati Cyclones game at the Heritage Bank Center is expected to draw large numbers beginning around 3 p.m., putting strain on alternate routes.
The Cyclones will play the Iowa Heartlanders.
The venue will be giving away hockey stick plushies.
I-471 badly damaged in 2024 blaze
A November 2024 fire caused I-471’s Daniel Carter Beard Bridge to close for 100 days.
Two sections of I-471’s bridge deck were demolished and replaced after a fire began at the 1000 Hands Playground that sat below.
Ohio spent close to $8.7 million to reopen the bridge while Cincinnati planned to spend another $2 million more to replace the playground under the bridge.
Terry Stiles was sentenced to up to 13 ½ years in prison after admitting his role in the blaze.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: I-471 ‘blocked until further notice’ after massive fire. What we know
Reporting by Matthew Cupelli and Aaron Valdez, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
