Crews wasted no time and started the demolition process on the severely damaged Connecticut bridge, following a fiery crash involving a gas-filled tanker truck on Interstate 95. The crash resulted in "horrendous" traffic delays and even forced the closure of schools in the area.

Workers arrived at the Fairfield Avenue overpass at 3 a.m. on Friday, just a day after the devastating crash. The southbound side of the Merritt Parkway in Fairfield experienced a massive 13-mile backup, while serious delays were also reported on the northbound side and surrounding routes.

The accident occurred when a tanker truck collided with another commercial vehicle and a passenger car. Miraculously, no one was seriously injured in the incident. Norwalk Mayor Harry W. Rilling expressed gratitude that there were no major injuries and commended the swift firefighting efforts of state and local workers.

The damaged section of I-95 is not expected to reopen until Monday at the earliest, as the bridge was compromised by the intense heat from the burning fuel. The crash involved a tanker truck carrying 8,500 gallons of gas, which collided with a tractor-trailer and a car before erupting into a fireball.

Due to ongoing traffic concerns and delays, Norwalk Public Schools decided to close on Friday. People were encouraged to work from home and avoid unnecessary travel to alleviate congestion on the interstate, a vital East Coast artery connecting New York and New England.

"We've scheduled different staggered work times for people so that they can come in later, maybe go home earlier to reduce some of the traffic," stated Mayor Rilling. He also added that staff members were encouraged to work from home to further minimize traffic.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont confirmed on Thursday that the bridge would need to be torn down due to the damage caused by the intense heat. He urged drivers to stay away from the area, as the traffic congestion was described as "horrendous" during morning rush hour. The impact of the crash extended to secondary roads, including the Merritt Parkway, which is off-limits to trucks due to low underpasses.

Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto revealed that the bridge, only ten years old, suffered significant damage due to the ignition of gasoline directly beneath its structure. The excessive heat caused the steel to warp and weaken.

In response to the incident, Governor Lamont declared a state of emergency, aiming to secure federal reimbursement for the necessary highway repairs. This emergency declaration is expected to expedite the allocation of resources to address the situation. Lamont advised the public to avoid the area for at least the next few days while the highway remains closed, and to stay alert for further updates.

Traffic delays are anticipated throughout the weekend, as the community navigates the aftermath of the crash and the subsequent bridge demolition.