Nine people, including four police officers, injured after fiery crash near I-275 in Canton

Police in Canton, Michigan, are on the scene of a fiery crash involving a car and a semi-truck on Wednesday in the area of Ford Road and Haggerty Road, near Interstate 275, in Wayne County.

Police say nine people were injured and transported to a hospital. Their injuries range from minor to critical. Four of the people were police officers who were rescuing the five occupants trapped in the vehicles involved, police say. 

Canton Township Interim Police Chief Joseph Bialy says an SUV was traveling southbound on Haggerty in the northbound lane at a high rate of speed when it collided with a semi‑truck turning into the northbound lane off Ford Road. The semi spilled fluid that ignited, trapping the passengers inside the SUV. 

"Our women and men at the Canton Police Department absolutely acted with bravery and courage to make sure that they rendered aid to the citizens that were involved in this, and making sure that everyone was as safe as they could be," Baily said. 

Bialy says the fire was so intense that it melted the traffic signals above the intersection.   

The intersection is closed for initial investigation. 

"Due to the severity of the incident, the intersection is closed in all directions. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes while crews work to manage the scene and ensure public safety," police said. "Please use alternate routes until notified of the intersection re-opening." 

The Canton Fire Department was also on scene.

The Michigan Department of Transportation has issued a traffic alert that the exit ramps at I-275 and Ford Road are temporarily closed as a result of the crash. MDOT traffic reports are at the MI Drive website.

This is a developing story and will be updated.