Driver Rescued From Fiery Crash On I-90 Bridge

BELLEVUE, WA — An off-duty Eastside fire captain helped rescue a driver Tuesday morning after a crash on the Interstate 90 floating bridge ignited multiple car fires and snarled traffic for miles. The crash happened during the morning commute in the eastbound lanes of I-90 just west of Bellevue Way. Washington State Patrol said at least three vehicles were involved.

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, all eastbound lanes closed on the east channel bridge between Mercer Island and Bellevue as crews rushed to extinguish the flames. Traffic cameras showed smoke pouring from the scene.

Eastside Fire & Rescue said Capt. Tom Tull was headed to work when the fires broke out and quickly sprang into action with a fellow bystander to break the window of a burning truck and pull its driver to safety.

Eastbound backups stretched more than four miles by 8 a.m., with vehicles only able to get by the scene on the left shoulder. Crews were able to reopen two left lanes by 8:30 a.m. and a third by 9 a.m. All but one lane was able to reopen by 9:30 a.m., but WSDOT warned backups still reached all the way to Seattle.

WSDOT crews were able to reopen the final lane and clear the scene just a few minutes after 10 a.m.