Pedestrian bridge collapses over Washington highway, injuring several

(CNN) – A pedestrian bridge collapsed over Interstate 295 in Washington, the capital of the United States, at noon on Wednesday, injuring several people and blocking the freeway in both directions, according to tweets from DC Fire and EMS.

The bridge collapsed at Kenilworth Avenue and Polk Street NE, the agency said in a tweet. Four people were taken to the hospital, but there were no reports of anyone trapped in the rubble, he added.

The images released by DC Fire and EMS show the concrete and metal of the bridge, materials that spread across the six lanes of the freeway and also on top of various vehicles.

Firefighters investigate the scene of the collapse.

A hazardous materials unit was on the scene to mitigate a diesel fuel leak from a truck that was partially under the bridge, and at least one other vehicle was hit by debris, DC Fire and EMS said.

The Washington Metropolitan Police Department is in the early stages of investigating the cause of the collapse, department spokeswoman Alaina Gertz said.