Box Truck Fire Shuts Down 101 Freeway
A box truck fire caused a complete shutdown of the 101 East freeway in Encino on Saturday. The Los Angeles Fire Department extinguished the blaze, which caused significant traffic delays before all lanes were reopened. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
- The truck was transporting nine 23-gallon propane tanks, which created a significant hazard and prompted the full freeway closure. - Firefighters fully extinguished the blaze in 74 minutes. - Due to the freeway location being difficult to access, the Los Angeles Fire Department created a water shuttle, using fire engines to fill up with water from nearby hydrants and transport it to the scene. - The fire was first reported around 8:30 a.m., and all lanes of the freeway were not fully reopened until just before 2 p.m., causing major traffic delays for several hours. - A 44-year-old man sustained minor burn injuries to his hands but declined hospital transport. - Emergency crews successfully relieved and emptied the propane tanks, which prevented any explosions. - The California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert for the eastbound 101 Freeway at Hayvenhurst Avenue and escorted cars off the freeway.
