Fuel Truck Fire Shuts Down I-91, Hazmat Crews Called to Scene

A tractor-trailer carrying 7,500 gallons of fuel erupted into flames on I-91, prompting a massive emergency response and full highway closures.

Drivers Friday morning, Nov. 22, found I-91 in Wethersfield shut down near exit 24 after a fuel truck burst into flames, authorities said.
Photo Credit: *Connecticut State Police*

Josh Lanier

11/22/2024 12:53 p.m.

State troopers rushed to the scene around 7:42 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, in the northbound lane near exit 24 in Wethersfield to find the truck’s cab fully engulfed in flames. The driver managed to escape unharmed, State Police said.

Wethersfield and Rocky Hill firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze, while troopers shut down all lanes of I-91 northbound and southbound in the area, as well as connecting traffic from Route 3. Fire crews extinguished the blaze before it reached the fuel tanker.

State Police closed the interstate for hours before they deemed it clean and safe enough to reopen around 11:30 a.m.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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