1 dead after crash involving semi-truck on I-71 in downtown Cincinnati; fire now extinguished

Cincinnati city officials say that a massive fire broke out downtown on Sunday evening after a semi-truck crash occurred near Heritage Bank Center.The crash reportedly occurred on the northbound lanes of Interstate 71 near the entrance to the Lytle Tunnel at approximately 6:51 p.m.The Cincinnati Fire Department says that the semi-truck is believed to have crashed into a wall on the highway, causing the truck to catch fire.Afterward, the driver reportedly became entrapped in his vehicle and had to be rescued by first responders. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.The fire has since been fully extinguished.CFD officials say that the crash occurred directly underneath the U.S. Route 50 overpass, with the beams of the overpass believed to have suffered minor damage as a result of the fire.A large amount of diesel fuel was also said to have spilled out onto the roadway during the crash.Officials say that significant cleanup work still remains at the crash scene before nearby roads can be reopened to traffic. State officials are also being contacted to assess the damage done to the area due to the fire and diesel spill.As a result, Fort Washington Way — which is the segment of I-71 that runs directly though downtown Cincinnati — has been indefinitely closed to traffic, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. Route 50 is also closed in both directions near the Lytle Tunnel. Drivers are advised to avoid the area as cleanup efforts continue.More information about the latest road closures and traffic disruptions throughout the city can be found here.This is a breaking news story and will be updated as WLWT learns more.