Introduction to the Incident
A big rig car-carrier loaded with eight new Teslas caught fire on the Golden State (5) Freeway in Sylmar on Saturday, resulting in toxic smoke that shut down southbound lanes.
The fire was reported at 5:35 p.m. Saturday on the southbound Golden State Freeway just north of Balboa Boulevard, according to the California Highway Patrol. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported the fire out at about 9:30 p.m.
Cause and Extent of the Fire
The transport with its burning load of lithium ion battery-equipped cars was off to the side of the truck lane but the toxic smoke from the fire made it necessary to shut down all of the southbound lanes, including the truck lane, according to the CHP. Traffic was rerouted to the northbound Antelope Valley (14) Freeway.
The cab of the tractor became engulfed in flames but the driver got out, the CHP announced. The initial cause of the fire was not yet known.
Response and Traffic Diversion
Traffic on the transition from the southbound Antelope Valley Freeway was diverted to the northbound Golden State Freeway, according to the CHP. Efforts were underway to reopen the Golden State Freeway lanes but the truck lane would remain closed while firefighters continued to put out the flames and deal with hazardous runoff.
Additional firefighters from Los Angeles city and county fire departments were slowed by the freeway traffic, according to the LAFD’s Lyndsey Lantz.
Damage Assessment
Video from the scene showed that there were eight cars on the trailer and that six of them were burned. The semi-tractor appeared to be only a frame, engine and wheels. The cars closest to the truck were the most severely damaged.
Caltrans was on the scene to help remove the two unburned cars from the trailer, Lantz said.
Safety and Cleanup
No injuries were initially reported, Lantz said. “Motorists are encouraged to keep well clear of the smoke.”
The driver was asked to contact his employer to see if they could get a cleanup crew to the scene or Caltrans would have to handle the cleanup, the CHP reported.
Once the fire was out, it was expected to take two or three hours to remove the vehicles from the remains of the big rig and clear the truck lanes, Lantz said.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the potential risks associated with the transportation of lithium-ion battery-equipped vehicles, particularly in the event of a fire. The swift response of the emergency services and the efforts to minimize the impact on traffic are commendable. However, the incident also underscores the need for rigorous safety protocols and emergency preparedness plans to be in place for the transportation of such vehicles.
FAQs
Q: What was the cause of the fire?
A: The initial cause of the fire was not yet known.
Q: How many cars were damaged in the fire?
A: Six out of the eight cars on the trailer were burned.
Q: Were there any injuries reported?
A: No injuries were initially reported.
Q: How long did it take to put out the fire?
A: The fire was reported out at about 9:30 p.m., approximately 4 hours after it was reported.
Q: What was the impact on traffic?
A: The southbound lanes of the Golden State Freeway were shut down, and traffic was rerouted to the northbound Antelope Valley Freeway.
