A fiery crash that killed three people shut down a section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike for hours yesterday in eastern Pennsylvania.

The crash involving a tandem tractor-trailer and four passenger vehicles happened around 12:30 p.m. on the westbound lanes, several miles east of the Lebanon-Lancaster exit, state police said.

Westbound lanes were closed near the scene and traffic was being detoured. Traffic was backed up for miles and turnpike officials didn't expect the highway to reopen until late last night.

Three people in one vehicle were confirmed dead, according to Carl DeFebo, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission; four others were taken to Hershey Medical Center with unspecified injuries.