Semi-Truck Fire Blocked Gowanus Expressway

Emergency crews responded to a major fire on the Gowanus Expressway near 72nd Street on Monday afternoon.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Emergency Response

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a bridge pillar silhouette, evoking the gravity of an urban transit emergency. — A semi-truck fire caused a complete closure of the Gowanus Expressway in Brooklyn on Monday, disrupting local traffic and public transit access. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

A semi-truck fire prompted the closure of the Gowanus Expressway in both directions in Brooklyn. The incident began when emergency responders received a report of the blaze at 2:15 p.m.

Why it matters

The closure of this major transit artery and the precautionary shut down of the nearby Belt Parkway pedestrian bridge caused significant disruption to local traffic flow.

The FDNY responded to the blaze at 2:15 p.m. following reports of a fire and a large gasoline spill at the 72nd Street site.

The players

FDNY

The Fire Department of the City of New York serves as the primary fire suppression and emergency medical responder for the five boroughs.

NYPD

The New York City Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for public safety and traffic control in the city.

DSNY

The New York City Department of Sanitation is the agency responsible for waste management and environmental clean-up operations on city roadways.

The details

Firefighters worked to contain the flames as smoke poured from the trailer, while Hazmat, NYPD, and DSNY teams managed the scene. Authorities also closed the pedestrian bridge over the nearby Belt Parkway as a safety measure.

The fire occurred on Monday, October 5, 2026.
The FDNY received the emergency call at 2:15 p.m.

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Seasonal Patterns

This fire incident forced an immediate, unplanned emergency closure that mirrors the traffic disruptions common during the 2020 Gowanus Expressway structural maintenance protocols.

Commuters should avoid the 72nd Street area and utilize alternative routes while crews manage the gas spill and roadway cleanup. Residents should monitor local traffic alerts for updates on the reopening of the expressway and the pedestrian bridge.

The takeaway

Drivers should remain alert to emergency vehicles and follow posted detours during large-scale hazmat incidents on major expressways. Staying informed through official city traffic alerts can help minimize travel delays during unexpected road closures.