Tractor-Trailer Bursts Into Flames After Crash On Brooklyn-Queens Expressway
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A tractor-trailer burst into flames after a crash on the Brooklyn Queens Expressway.
The incident brought traffic to a standstill on the westbound side of the expressway near Hamilton Avenue around 12 p.m. Friday.
"You could see the smoke going up into the sky," a young witness told CBS2's Erin Logan.
Rich Antonelli and his grandson, Chase, watched everything from their Gowanus home.
"It was really concerning, because some of it came into the house," Antonelli said.
They and others watched from a walkway above the Summit and Hicks overpass.
Photos and video on Twitter showed the truck engulfed in flames and thick black smoke billowing up from the road.
Crazy accident on the BQE pic.twitter.com/jpqlOv6RGE
— Joseph Sutton (@Joe_Sutt) April 21, 2017
Crazy truck fire on the BQE right near my apt- melting the guard rails and stopping traffic completely. YIKES. pic.twitter.com/gHXTjfbfoM
— Dana Erickson (@wiscodana) April 21, 2017
Do NOT take the BQE today. pic.twitter.com/VeIvzPsZXJ
— ???????????????? ???????????????????? (@alexhcranz) April 21, 2017
Fire officials say three people, including one firefighter were injured. One victim is listed in serious condition at a burn center, and two others were taken to an area hospital, Logan reported.
"You think that's catastrophic, but somebody was in their favor today for sure," another witness said.
Two westbound lanes and one eastbound lane were closed for several hours as firefighters battled the blaze and cleared the scene.
"It was like completely stopped," the witness said.
There's still no word on what exactly caused the accident, but CBS2 is told the truck had a fuel leak.
A Department of Transportation spokesperson said it is in the process of conducting inspections.