Explosion closure ends as traffic resumes on Hwy 401 through Pickering

Hwy. 401 is once more open through Pickering and Ajax after a day-long shutdown following the fatal explosion of a fuel truck.

A tanker truck carrying fuel rolled over near Brock Rd. around 10:30 p.m. on June 20. The truck lost control for reasons that remain unknown and swerved through the centre median into oncoming traffic.

The truck exploded into a “massive fireball” per the OPP, killing the driver. The blaze also ignited another transport truck and a passenger vehicle. The second truck driver also died in the fire. Neither of the two killed has been identified as yet. The passenger car set afire had two people inside. They were able to stop the car and escape.

It took responding fire crews hours to extinguish the blaze and finally got it out in the wee hours of the following morning. During this time the fire scorched the nearby overpass, blackening the bridge and damaging nearby infrastructure.

A seven-kilometre stretch of Hwy. 401 between White Rd. in Pickering and Westney Rd. in Ajax was shut down for the investigation and cleanup. Twelve hours after the fire was put out, the area remain closed.

The Ministry of Transportation had to expect all the surrounding infrastructure to ensure it was still safe for motorists to use after the crash and fire. OPP Media Officer Kerry Schmidt confirmed this process had been completed as of noon on June 22.

As such, the road has almost completely reopened as the investigation into the crash moved off the highway and the MTO inspection was completed. Motorists can once more travel Hwy. 401 through Pickering. However, some lane restrictions are still in effect on the eastbound side and on the Brock Rd. overpass.

While the investigation into the crash has moved off the road, Schmidt expects it to continue “for some time.”

Anyone with information pertinent to the investigation can call the Toronto OPP at 416-235-4981.