I-85 Fire: What we know

February 1, 2020
1 min read
I-85 Fire: What we know

The Gist: A multiple-vehicle crash on I-85 North near Jimmy Carter resulted in a large explosion just before 8 a.m. Saturday. Gwinnett County fire and police crews have been fighting the blaze and working to re-open the roadway all day. The Georgia Department of Transportation is also on the scene to repair the surface of the roadway.

A tanker truck overturned: When police arrived they located an overturned tanker truck and a passenger car fully engulfed in flames. Fire crews from both Gwinnett County and Dekalb County responded to the scene. All of Interstate 85 northbound was shut down at that time, with traffic being diverted onto Pleasantdale Road.

The fire spread underground: The unidentified flammable liquid from the tanker quickly drained into a nearby sewer drain. As a result of the drainage, fire spread underground in the sewer further south on I-85, even crossing underneath I-85 southbound, and came to a stop on Crescent Drive near Ole Mexican Foods.

This resulted in multiple fires and large smoke stacks on and around both I-85 northbound and southbound. Subsequent explosions were seen and heard as the fuel ignited and smoke and flames billowed from manhole covers in the area. All traffic on Interstate 85, Crescent Drive and Dawson Boulevard was stopped in all directions.

Traffic was diverted: As a result, traffic on I-85 southbound was diverted onto Beaver Ruin Road. Several drivers that were stopped on the Interstate were evacuated on foot from their vehicle and took cover behind nearby business. Firefighters addressed all active fires until it was contained to the accident scene and eventually completely extinguished.

  • I-85 Fire: What we know
  • I-85 Fire: What we know
  • I-85 Fire: What we know
  • I-85 Fire: What we know
  • I-85 Fire: What we know
  • I-85 Fire: What we know
  • I-85 Fire: What we know
  • I-85 Fire: What we know
  • I-85 Fire: What we know

Motorists and businesses were evacuated: First responders, fire and law enforcement officials, began evacuating people to the access roads from their vehicles on Interstate 85. Numerous businesses along Dawson Boulevard for evacuated as precaution due to the vicinity to the incident.

Fire officials decided to let the fuel burn: Gwinnett Fire Officials made the strategic decision to allow the fuel to burn and control the fires along Crescent Drive. The application of water or firefighting foam may have caused additional runoff concerns and allowed the ignited fuel to travel a greater distance underground.

While the fire burned on the Interstate, crews controlled brush fires along Crescent Drive that involved a utility pole and caused a power outage in the area. Once the majority of the fuel had burned off, 100 gallons of firefighting foam was applied to completely smother the flames and bring the incident under control.

The tractor-trailer was carrying 8,500 gallons of fuel: The tractor-trailer was reportedly carrying 8,500 gallons of fuel including 7,500 gallons of gasoline and 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel

There were two fatalities: Gwinnett County’s Accident Investigation Unit responded to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. There were two fatalities in the wreck, the driver of the truck and the driver of a Volkswagon Passat. Their identities were released Saturday night.

All lanes on I-85 North have reopened: All lanes on I-85 North have re-opened and repairs have been completed.

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