Commute Snarled on by Tanker Truck on I-95 in Connecticut

FAIRFIELD, CT (AP) -- A fire in a big rig hauling flammable methanol closed a heavily traveled portion of Interstate 95 in southwestern Connecticut for hours early Monday, diverting tens of thousands of rush-hour commuters.

LISTEN:
Paul Murnane reports from Connecticut

No injuries were reported, and the methanol did not ignite.

Emergency crews closed all northbound lanes in Fairfield for more than six hours and had to block southbound traffic at times. That portion of I-95 carries up to 135,000 vehicles daily, according to state data, and is a major commuting route to and from New York City.

The problem started around 4:30 a.m. when the tractor-trailer's driver noticed smoke coming from his vehicle and pulled to the shoulder near Exit 19 in Fairfield, Vance said. The driver told police he suspected a brake problem on the trailer portion of the vehicle started the fire, Vance said.

Trucks and buses were diverted to U.S. Route 1 and passenger vehicles were detoured to the Merritt Parkway. Heavy delays were reported on both roads all morning.

``Everything's packed. The Merritt right now is handling two roadways' worth of work, so it's very slow-moving,'' Connecticut State Police Lt. J. Paul Vance said Monday morning.

Two of the three northbound lanes reopened shortly before 11 a.m., police said.

Fairfield emergency crews evacuated up to 20 homes near the highway for a few hours early Monday, but let residents return by midmorning.

Methanol, an alcohol, is used in various goods, from plastics to windshield washer fluid, and as a fuel in some race cars.