An explosion and broken gas line has shut down all north and southbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike at Lake Worth Road on Thursday morning.
A broken gas pipeline has caused the Florida’s Turnpike southbound to be shutdown and traffic to be diverted at the 97 Mile Post. Please use caution and avoid area if possible. pic.twitter.com/ZUyVDcazoX
— FHP West Palm Beach (@FHPPalmBeach) September 24, 2020
The explosion blew chunks of cement and concrete out of a noise abatement wall running alongside the Turnpike, and debris is scattered all over the road.
Video from a WPTV viewer showed brown-colored smoke shooting into the sky just feet from the highway.
This Lake Worth resident says he heard a massive explosion that shook his house. He thought he was under some kind of attack. He says he went outside and heard a loud hissing sound that sounded like a jet engine. He then called 911 and was told that residents who live within five miles of the turnpike off Lake Worth Road need to evacuate. Listen to the witness describe the scary experience.