Both directions of I-270 and US-33 reopened Monday afternoon after a tanker truck caught fire in Dublin, killing its driver and closing down the highways.
The tanker fire erupted Monday morning on the bridge from US 33 East to I-270 North. Columbus Dispatch reports that the truck, which was carrying gasoline, "caught fire when the truck hit a cement guardrail on the exit from the bridge."
The burning gasoline then spread to the off-ramp.
Dublin police Lt. Steve Farmer says authorities believe the driver is the only person killed in the crash Monday morning in the Columbus suburb.
Authorities say it wasn't immediately known how much gasoline the truck was carrying at the time. But Farmer says it could hold up to 8,000 gallons.
Dublin Fire and Police both responded to the scene, cautioning people to stay away from the roads, which were obstructed and heavily backed up.
ODOT bridge inspectors, after examining the damage, announced that the US-33 East ramp to I-270 North would remain closed for concrete repairs for up to a week.
NW Side: ODOT works with the Fire Dept to inspect the 33 EB to 270 NB bridge and clear some of the debris on 270 underneath. pic.twitter.com/WFudLyV1cd
— ODOT Columbus (@ODOT_Columbus) January 23, 2017
SR 315 is now OPEN south of SR 750 to accommodate the detoured traffic from tanker fire. All I-270 and US 33 closures are still in place.
— ODOT Columbus (@ODOT_Columbus) January 23, 2017
You'll want to avoid 270/33 all afternoon due to this morning's fire. Goal is to make improvements by evening rush but no guarantees
— Dublin Ohio (@DublinOhio) January 23, 2017
The Associated Press contributed to this report. The article will be updated as the story develops.
