Fiery Crash Ignites Gasoline Tanker on US-131 in Grand Rapids

Dramatic photos show firefighters battling the blaze that shut down the highway for hours

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:12pm

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An extreme close-up of a melted and charred metal object from the semi-truck crash, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying the gritty, investigative nature of the incident.Dramatic photos from the Grand Rapids Fire Department capture the chaos and scale of the fiery semi-truck crash that shut down a major highway.Grand Rapids Today

A fiery crash on southbound US-131 near Pearl Street in downtown Grand Rapids on April 4 involved two semi-trucks, including a gasoline tanker carrying 8,000 gallons that ignited on impact. The Grand Rapids Fire Department responded to the scene, confirming all had escaped before attacking the hazardous materials blaze that caused significant highway damage.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the dangers of major highway crashes involving hazardous materials, the critical role of first responders in containing such emergencies, and the significant disruption and repair costs that can result from fiery collisions on busy thoroughfares.

The details

The crash occurred around 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 4. Firefighters arrived on the scene shortly after and confirmed that everyone had escaped before battling the blaze, which involved the gasoline tanker and created a towering plume of smoke. Hazmat teams and specialized equipment were brought in to contain the fire due to the hazardous materials involved. The Grand Rapids Police Department is investigating the cause of the crash.

  • The crash occurred around 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 4.
  • Firefighters arrived on the scene shortly after 8:05 a.m.

The players

Grand Rapids Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the crash and fire, confirming all had escaped and battling the blaze that involved hazardous materials.

Grand Rapids Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that is investigating the cause of the crash.

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What’s next

Southbound US-131 will have double lane closures, while northbound lanes will see a single lane closure as crews fix a retaining wall and a barrier wall damaged in the fire, a process that is expected to take weeks.

The takeaway

This fiery crash on a major highway in downtown Grand Rapids demonstrates the critical importance of emergency preparedness and the skill of first responders in containing hazardous materials incidents, as well as the significant disruption and repair costs that can result from such dramatic collisions on busy thoroughfares.