Hwy. 401 reopens after fatal crash, fire

By News Staff

One person is dead following a crash and subsequent fire on Highway 401 near Avenue Road.

A flatbed truck hit another truck and then the median before bursting into flames around 5:15 a.m. on Monday.

The driver of that truck is dead, Ontario provincial police said. The driver of the second truck was not hurt.

The crash closed the eastbound express and collector lanes at Avenue, and the westbound express lanes from Yonge Street to the Allen. The eastbound collector lanes reopened around 9 a.m. The express lanes open just before the evening rush hour.

Watch the video below or click here.

The truck was carrying paint and paint thinners, which is a concern for cleanup, Toronto Fire Capt. David Eckerman said. The paint and thinners also contributed to the “intensity” of the fire.

“Some of the paint made its way into the cache basns before we were able to throw down an absorbent material … we’ve put a call in for more [absorbent material,” Eckerman said.

“Anything other than water in a waterway is hazardous.”

The Ministry of the Environment has been notified. Ontario provincial police are investigating.

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