UPDATED: I-94 Headaches Could Linger After Tanker Explosion

This story was updated at 11 p.m.

It may be next week before I-94 traffic returns to normal along a stretch of the freeway closed Wednesday after a tanker exploded.

Though westbound lanes are open, the eastbound lanes of I-94 from the Southfield Freeway to I-96 are likely to remain closed through the weekend, The Detroit Free Press reports.

Diane Cross, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Transportation, said damage to the roadway near the Dearborn-Detroit border was “much worse” than officials thought. Now, officials think 150 feet of roadway will need to be replaced.

Complicating those efforts are road projects that are closing other major arteries. Work to repair old flood damage is scheduled to start in the next few days on I-94 around Warren Avenue will require a shutdown from Friday night to Monday morning between the Lodge Freeway and I-75.

Plumes of black smoke appearing to tower 100 feet in the air could be seen as far away as Canada. No one was killed and only minor injuries were reported. Lt. Michael Shaw, spokesman for the Michigan State Police, said investigators still haven’t pieced together exactly what caused the explosion.

The Western Wayne and Downriver HAZMAT team responded, but evacuations weren’t required, Mary Laundroche, a spokeswoman for the City of Dearborn said.

However, the Western Wayne and Downriver hazardous materials teams were called in to assist, and the Marathon Oil Refinery in Detroit dispatched four firefighters and a special foam truck to help battle the blaze.

Witnesses reported a spectacular scene unfolding for several hours.

“I thought the freeway was blowing up,” said Arnold Mitchell, 49, of Toledo, OH, who was stopped at a truck yard next to the highway when the truck exploded. “The closer I started walking to it, then I’m like, ‘Man, that’s a truck down there.’ “

This story was updated at 12:50 p.m.

A portion of I-94 near the Wyoming exit is shut down near Dearborn as emergency crews battle a fire from a tanker explosion that sent billowing black smoke into the air that was visible as far as two miles away, according to news reports.

The Michigan Department of Transportation is asking that drivers traveling on eastbound I-94 to get off at Southfield, and drivers traveling on westbound I-94 get off at I-96. The freeway is closed in both directions.

“We have gasoline and diesel fuel burning plus at least one explosion out of a sewer grate,” Lt. Doug Topolski told The Detroit News. “It’s unknown at this point if there are any injuries, although we have a report that the driver of the car is complaining about shortness of breath.”

WJBK-TV is reporting that at least one other vehicle is on fire.

HAZMAT crews are on the scene. Also responding was large expansion foam fire truck that was called into assistance from the Marathon Refinery, according to the Dearborn Fire Fighters Association.

Michigan State Police Lt. Michael Shaw said 911 calls about an explosion started coming in about 11:15 a.m.

“I’ve been told we have fires on the freeway as well as in the sewer system. There may also be some damage to the infrastructure, but I have received no reports of any evacuations.”

Several houses and businesses are nearby.

The section of the freeway where the accident occurred is below street level, which will make it easier to fight, officials said.

Screenshot and video via WJBK-TV