News Summary
Aiken County faces significant disruption following a fuel truck fire that resulted in the collapse of the Old Vaucluse Road Bridge on I-20. An 18-wheeler carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline caught fire early in the morning, leading to a collaborative firefighting effort by local departments. While two individuals were hospitalized, thankfully, no fatalities resulted from the incident. Emergency contracts are underway for cleanup and debris removal, as authorities manage detours and caution motorists in affected areas.
Aiken County is currently dealing with the aftermath of a fuel truck fire that led to the collapse of the Old Vaucluse Road Bridge on Interstate I-20. The incident occurred at approximately 3:50 a.m. on June 14, 2025, involving an 18-wheeler carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline.
Local fire crews responded swiftly to the scene, with nine different departments collaborating to extinguish the blaze. Upon arrival, firefighters found the truck fully engulfed in flames. Unfortunately, as they began to tackle the fire, the Old Vaucluse Road Bridge collapsed, rendering it a total loss, as confirmed by South Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Justin Powell.
Two individuals were transported to Wellstar Augusta for medical treatment, but the details regarding their injuries have not been disclosed. Fortunately, there were no fatalities associated with this incident.
In response to the fire and subsequent bridge collapse, an emergency contract has been established with United Infrastructure to expedite cleanup efforts. Work commenced soon after the fire was contained, focusing on both cleanup and demolition of the collapsed bridge. The immediate objective is to have I-20 reopened to traffic by early next week, while the reopening of Old Vaucluse Road may take several months to complete.
Traffic detours have been instituted for motorists traveling on I-20, specifically between mile markers 11 and 18. Drivers are being cautioned to adjust their speed accordingly, as speed limits in the detour areas have been reduced from 70-80 mph to 45-55 mph. Authorities have advised motorists to be patient and drive carefully through the detour zones, which may also include additional road closures.
Approximately 35 personnel and around 10,000 gallons of water were utilized in the firefighting efforts. The fire’s cause remains under investigation by the South Carolina Highway Patrol, who are assessing the initial collision that led to the incident.
Aiken County Sheriff Marty Sawyer has urged caution for all motorists in the area, particularly those who will encounter first responders attending to the scene. Public notifications regarding further detours and any ongoing road closures will be disseminated via the social media channels of local first responders and the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT).
As inquiry and cleanup activities progress, residents and travelers in Aiken County are encouraged to remain informed and vigilant. The combination of cleanup efforts and ongoing investigations seeks to ensure safety for all road users moving forward.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Massive Gasoline Truck Crash Causes Fire and Bridge Collapse
Urgent Repairs Needed for Chesapeake Bay Bridge
Additional Resources
- WRDW: Fiery Tanker Crash Collapses Bridge
- WJBF: Fiery Crash Shuts Down I-20
- WFXG: Officials Say Bridge a Total Loss
- WLTX: Interstate 20 Closure
- Post and Courier: Tanker Crash in Aiken County
- Wikipedia: Interstate 20
- Google Search: Aiken County bridge collapse
- Google Scholar: Bridge collapse news
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bridge
- Google News: Aiken County fuel truck fire
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
