GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — A semi-tanker truck carrying 8,000 gallons of gasoline crashed, overturned, and exploded in a massive fireball on southbound US-131 just south of the I-196 overpass in downtown Grand Rapids Saturday morning, closing the highway in both directions for approximately 12 hours.
Courtesy: Robert S.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:05 a.m. on April 4. Two semi-trucks were involved. The tanker driver managed to jump from the vehicle and run to safety before it exploded. Both drivers were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The explosion created a large fireball visible across the area. The 8,000 gallons of gasoline burning against the highway wall kept crews busy for a significant amount of time. Grand Rapids Fire Department Deputy Chief of Operations Jack Johnson described the scene. “There were 8,000 gallons of gasoline in the tanker that crashed up against the wall. It was on fire for quite a bit of time before we were able to get it under control utilizing our fluorine-free foam,” Johnson said.
Courtesy: Randy Spontack
Multi-Agency Response
Grand Rapids Fire Department called in additional resources to fight the fire, including foam trucks from Allendale and Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s crash fire rescue units. “It’s not normal that we have to call in for outside help, but it’s nice to know that we have those resources available to us when we can,” Johnson said.
Matt Witkos
MDOT closed both directions of US-131 to combat the fire. Southbound US-131 closed at Leonard Street. Northbound US-131 closed at Pearl Street. Both eastbound and westbound I-196 to southbound US-131 also closed. Drivers spent roughly 12 hours using alternate routes around downtown Grand Rapids. Bridge inspectors and engineers arrived on scene Saturday afternoon to assess potential structural damage. Northbound lanes reopened at 8 p.m. Southbound lanes followed approximately 24 minutes later. Both directions fully reopened by 8:30 p.m. It was not immediately clear whether any portion of the freeway will require repairs after the fire.
No evacuations were ordered. No injuries were reported among the public.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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