Eastbound 60 Freeway near Hacienda Heights reopens after a big rig is engulfed in flames
A big rig truck was engulfed in flames Thursday evening on the eastbound 60 Freeway near Hacienda Heights, shutting down the freeway during the busy rush hour, authorities said.
Officials gradually opened lanes through the night, but the highway was not fully reopened until 12:30 a.m. Friday, according to Officer Stephan Brandt of the California Highway Patrol.
The lanes had been closed west of 7th Avenue, according to the CHP.
The fire was reported about 4:35 p.m. and spread to a quarter of an acre within 10 minutes, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The blaze spread to 21/2 acres before firefighters brought it under control about 5:30 p.m., according to Melanie Flores, a supervising dispatcher with the Fire Department.
No injuries were reported.
Aerial images of the blaze showed a large tractor-trailer burning along the shoulder of the freeway, with a thick plume of black smoke billowing into the sky.
Officials said the fire, which was caused by the big rig, led to massive delays on the freeway.
Twitter: @MattHjourno.
UPDATES:
Nov. 11, 12:50 a.m.: This article was updated with all lanes reopened on the 60 Freeway.
6:45 p.m.: This article was updated with the fire being controlled and the freeway partly reopening.
This article was originally published at 4:45 p.m.
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