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
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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
