A towering fire ripped through northbound Interstate 71 near the Lytle Tunnel on Sunday evening, sending thick black smoke over Cincinnati’s riverfront and grinding the evening commute to a halt. Emergency crews rushed to Fort Washington Way after reports of a crash near East Second Street, as bystanders shared video of flames licking up near the overpass. Officials on scene had not yet confirmed how many people were injured while crews worked to secure the area and clear out miles of trapped traffic.
Cincinnati police told reporters that two to three vehicles appeared to be involved, including a semi-truck, and that traffic on I-71 was heavily backed up while officers and fire crews worked the scene, according to WLWT. The station reported that the crash happened on Fort Washington Way near East Second Street and that the extent of injuries remained unclear late Sunday night. WLWT described the situation as a breaking story and said more details would be released as they become available.
Local crews and the Cincinnati Fire Department reported that a semi-truck was involved in the blaze beneath the I-71 overpass near Heritage Bank Center, and smoke from the fire could be seen across downtown, according to coverage by WCPO. WCPO reported that firefighters were working to contain the flames and make sure no additional vehicles or nearby structures were in danger. Video shared with the station showed heavy smoke pouring from the roadway and what appeared to be a truck cab fully engulfed in flames.
Traffic and detours
The Ohio Department of Transportation had already posted a public bulletin this week announcing overnight Lytle Tunnel maintenance from Sunday through Wednesday, a schedule that could limit repair access and complicate detour planning while crews clear the crash site, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. When the tunnel is closed, ODOT and city crews typically send drivers onto I-75 and nearby surface streets, but those backup routes can get tight when planned maintenance and a major incident collide. Drivers were urged to brace for long delays and check local traffic reports and OHGO for alternate routes.
Why the Lytle Tunnel matters
The Lytle Tunnel is a short stretch of road, but it is a crucial gateway into downtown and has been the scene of multiple big-rig crashes and lengthy closures. Earlier incidents involving overturned semis and time-consuming cleanups have shut down I-71 for hours and wrecked commutes, as WLWT documented after a shutdown in January. That track record helps explain why a single crash or vehicle fire near the tunnel can send shockwaves through the region’s evening traffic.
This is a developing story, and updates will be published as officials release more information.
