Big rig fire prompts closure of freeway in San Pedro to Long Beach

Topline:

A fire that sparked Thursday afternoon when a big rig carrying lithium ion batteries overturned in San Pedro has led to closure of the Seaside (47) Freeway from Harbor Blvd. to the Vincent Thomas Bridge. The bridge is also closed and the California Highway Patrol says it could remain closed through Friday.

What we know so far: Nicholas Prange, spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department, told LAist that the material in the big rig could take “24 hours to 48 hours to burn itself out.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement that the fire crews and hasardous material specialists arrived on the scene shortly after the fire started and created “an isolation perimeter.”

“We are working quickly to resolve this issue. Safety, as always, is our top priority,” Bass said.

The fire and freeway closures are also impacting Port of Los Angeles operations. APM Terminals, Fenix Marine, Everport and Yusen Terminals will be closed through Friday as fire crews work to put out the fire.

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