Dramatic images show massive fire that led to Atlanta bridge collapse
(Fox5)
A portion of Interstate 85 running through north Atlanta collapsed on Thursday after being engulfed in a massive fire.
No injuries were reported during the incident, which occurred during rush-hour. The fire started around 6 p.m. local time, and the bridge collapsed at 7 p.m., according to the Atlanta Fire Department.
No official cause for the fire has been made public, although fire officials believe it was fueled by spools of PVC pipes being stored under the overpass, according to a local FOX affiliate. The massive flames may have fatigued the cement overpass, one official said, and structural engineers said the fire could have melted metal under the bridge.
A thick plume of black smoke stretched for miles around the fire, slowing traffic to a halt.
By late Thursday, the fire had been contained, although emergency responders and police were still at the scene.
In statements, both Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and Fulton County chairman John Eaves urged commuters to avoid the area.
Here are some of the stunning images of the blaze and collapse:
#BREAKING: The overpass on I-85 just collapsed near Piedmont Road pic.twitter.com/o4GyJzIRpj
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) March 30, 2017
There's a MASSIVE fire currently on I-85 near GA-400 pic.twitter.com/ay1OpztH1K
— Kevin W. (@kwilli1046) March 31, 2017
#REDALERT I-85 blocked both ways just s of GA-400 b/c massive vehicle fire on Piedmont bridge under I-85 #ATLtraffic @wsbradio @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/RWMIXEGALm
— Fireball Turnbull (@DougTurnbull) March 30, 2017
When you're just trying to get home and Atlanta is on fire again. #hotlanta
A post shared by Jono Moore (@jonoism) on Mar 30, 2017 at 3:38pm PDT on Mar 30, 2017 at 3:38pm PDT
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