Big rig with lithium ion batteries flips in San Pedro, sparking hazardous fire, closing freeway
A hazardous fire broke out in San Pedro around noon on Thursday after a big rig carrying lithium ion batteries overturned, causing at least one battery to explode, authorities said.
Los Angeles City Fire Department officials and a hazardous materials team were sent to 940 N. Seaside Ave. at 11:48 a.m. to combat the dangerous blaze, authorities said.
The 47 Freeway was closed in both directions from the Southbound 710 to Harbor Boulevard, including a section of the Vincent Thomas Bridge, according to an LAFD spokesperson.
There were no reports of injuries, evacuation orders or widespread
hazardous warnings. However, significant traffic gridlock was expected in this major artery for trucks bringing goods to and from the harbor.
A Tesla semitruck crashed into trees on Interstate 80 in Northern California and its electric battery caught fire, sending toxic fumes into the air.
“Any incident that shuts down a highway is going to cause a large impact for the commuters, especially in this area of the port as the Port of Los Angeles is the second-largest port in the world,†said California Highway Patrol Sgt. Daniel Keene. “Luckily, in this situation, there are alternative routes around the area.â€
The freeway closure could last up to 24 or even 48 hours as officials deal with the hazardous materials, Keene added.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
![[20060326 (LA/A20) -- STATING THE CASE: Marchers organized by unions, religious organizations and immigrants rights groups carry signs and chant in downtown L.A. "People are really upset that all the work they do, everything that they give to this nation, is ignored," said Angelica Salas of the Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights. -- PHOTOGRAPHER: Photographs by Gina Ferazzi The Los Angeles Times] *** [Ferazzi, Gina -- - 109170.ME.0325.rights.12.GMF- Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times - Thousands of protesters march to city hall in downtown Los Angeles Saturday, March 25, 2006. They are protesting against House-passed HR 4437, an anti-immigration bill that opponents say will criminalize millions of immigrant families and anyone who comes into contact with them.]](https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/722dda1/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1983x1322+109+0/resize/840x560!/format/webp/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fzbk%2Fdamlat_images%2FLA%2FLA_PHOTO_ARCHIVE%2FSDOCS%2854%29%2Fkx3lslnc.JPG)
