Fiery Crash On Florida Interstate Kills At Least 7 – CBS News

Two big rigs and two passenger vehicles collided and spilled diesel fuel across a Florida highway Thursday, sparking a massive fire that killed seven people, including children, authorities said. The wreck happened at 3:42 p.m. on Interstate 75 about a mile south of Alachua, near Gainesville.

The flames were fed by about 50 gallons of diesel, authorities said.

At least secedn others were critically injured, reports CBS Gainesville affiliate WGFL-TV.

Authorities initially said six had died but late Thursday night revealed a seventh victim had perished.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers said the crash involved two tractor trailers, a sedan and a passenger van, WGFL says. Lt. Patrick Riordan said two of the tractor-trailers collided and caught fire, as did the sedan.

Riordan said most of those who died were in the van, including children and adults.

Emergency crews extinguished the fire and authorities said they were investigating the crash as a homicide, but didn’t say why. The fire was so intense it damaged parts of the road, authorities said.

A spokesman for the Florida Highway Patrol told The Associated Press in a phone interview that their top priorities were to conduct a thorough investigation and to identify the deceased victims.

“There’s going to be families that need to be notified that their loves ones have perished,” said Lieutenant Patrick Riordan.

It’s unclear whether the victims were killed in the wreck or whether they burned in the fire, which would make identification more difficult, he said.

The aftermath closed part of the highway in both directions, causing massive delays.

The crash was in the northbound lanes, but southbound lanes were closed for hours to keep a route open for first responders, according to a tweet from the Alachua County Sherriff’s office, which said the emergency “required all hands on deck.” Authorities opened the northbound lanes around 8 p.m. but said southbound lanes could be closed until morning.

Debris including personal property and vehicle parts was scattered across the road, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

A helicopter arrived to search for any victims who may have been in nearby woods.