Ontario Provincial Police say traffic along Highway 401 in Pickering will be affected for the better part of Wednesday after a tanker truck exploded, killing two people.

The drivers of two transport trucks did not survive, while the driver of another vehicle involved escaped the fiery crash.

Police say a truck carrying a ”highly flammable” liquid left the eastbound lanes of the highway and ended up in the westbound lanes, igniting a nearby tractor trailer and a passenger vehicle. The occupants of the smaller vehicle managed to escape the flames.

Police say the area will need extensive work before it can re-open.

Eastbound drivers were being directed to exit at Brock Road and use the on-and-off ramps to get back on the highway. Westbound travellers were being re-directed at Highway 412 and then back on at Liverpool Road.