The State : Truck Fire Closes 101

A propane truck caught fire on busy U.S. 101 near Santa Clara and burned to a twisted hulk, closing the north-south highway for two hours and forcing evacuation of 2,000 people from nearby businesses in the so-called Silicon Valley. The tank’s safety vent operated properly, allowing the gas to burn out in a somewhat controlled manner, fire officials said. “I just wish I had a camera,” said Santa Clara Police Officer Mike Meadows, who was first on the scene after the truck caught fire. “It felt like somebody just shoved me backwards.”