Tag: Tunnel Fire

Minimal Damage from Fire in Tunnel Along W.Va.-Va. Border

Officials say a Christmas night fire caused minimal damage to an Interstate 77 tunnel along the Virginia-West Virginia border.

The Virginia Department of Transportation says all lanes of the East River Mountain Tunnel were opened at 12:38 a.m. Friday morning following a vehicle fire in the southbound lane of the tunnel.

The Bluefield Daily Telegraph reports that officials will have to do some small pavement and tile repairs in the coming days.

Emergency officials say Bluefield and Green Valley-Glenwood fire departments in West Virginia and Bland and Rocky Gap fire departments in Virginia responded to the blaze.

The West Virginia State Police, Virginia State Police, Mercer County Sheriff’s Department, Virginia Department of Transportation, West Virginia Department of Transportation and Mercer County Emergency Management also responded to the scene.

Repairs Set for I-77 Tunnel Along W.Va.-Va. Border

 Update Wednesday July 30, 2014:

Crews completed the needed repairs on Tuesday night so East River Mountain Tunnel will remain open Wednesday night. The West Virginia Division of Highways has been advised that the Virginia Department of Transportation was able to complete its repairs overnight. There will be no need for the closure this evening. The northbound tunnel will remain open.

  Some lanes of an Interstate 77 tunnel along the Virginia-West Virginia border where a truck fire occurred are being rerouted for repairs.

The northbound lanes of the East River Mountain Tunnel will be closed from 8 p.m. Tuesday through 8 a.m. Wednesday, and from 8 p.m. Wednesday through 7 a.m. Thursday.

Northbound traffic will be diverted to the southbound side of the tunnel. Transportation officials say traffic in both directions will alternate and travelers should expect significant delays.

Burning cardboard on the truck sent thick, black smoke throughout the tunnel Friday, forcing it to close in both directions.

Two Firefighters Treated After W.Va.-Va. Tunnel Blaze

A tractor-trailer fire filled an Interstate 77 tunnel with black smoke, backed up traffic for miles and sent two West Virginia firefighters to a hospital.

The Bluefield Daily Telegraph reports that the fire in the East River Mountain Tunnel near West Virginia’s border with Virginia was extinguished by 5:50 p.m. Friday, more than 2 1/2 hours after it was reported. 

Mark Perkins, a firefighter with the Green Valley-Glenwood Volunteer Fire Department, said two of his colleagues were transported to Bluefield Regional Medical Center for treatment for smoke inhalation. Several other departments also responded.

Bluefield Fire Chief Jeff Warden said smoke pouring out of the tunnel was so thick that for about 50 feet from the entrance “you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face.”

Here’s are some photos from reporters on the scene yesterday:

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