Massive Fire Shuts Down Interstate: Los Angeles Urges Motorists to Rely on Public Transport

A major fire that engulfed an elevated interstate near downtown Los Angeles over the weekend has caused significant damage and is expected to cause traffic disruptions during the Monday commute. Crews are currently assessing the extent of the damage and ensuring the safety of the highway before reopening it to the approximately 300,000 vehicles that traverse the route daily.

During a news conference on Sunday, Governor Gavin Newsom stated that hazardous materials teams were working to clear burned debris from underneath Interstate 10, allowing engineers to inspect the columns and deck of the highway for any structural damage. Newsom emphasized that the investigation into the cause of the fire and the subsequent engineering assessments would be a continuous operation, running 24-7. However, a specific timeline for reopening the highway has not yet been determined.

In light of the closure, commuters have been advised to either work from home or utilize public transportation when traveling to downtown Los Angeles. The closure of the mile-long stretch of I-10 between Alameda Street and Santa Fe Avenue is expected to have ripple effects on surface streets and other major freeways in the area, including State Route 60 and Interstate 5, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The cause of the fire, which occurred early Saturday morning, is currently under investigation. The flames initially erupted beneath the highway, spreading across two storage lots in an industrial area. The fire consumed parked cars, stacks of wooden pallets, and support poles for high-tension power lines, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. More than 160 firefighters from various companies battled the blaze, which burned for three hours and covered an area equivalent to about six football fields. The charred and damaged columns of the highway, as well as the twisted and blackened guardrails, indicate the severity of the fire.

Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency on Saturday and requested assistance from the federal government through the state Department of Transportation. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also reached out to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to discuss any additional resources that may be required.

During the news conference, Governor Newsom revealed that the state had been involved in ongoing litigation with the owner of the business leasing the storage property where the fire originated. The lease had expired, and the business was in arrears while subleasing the space. This knowledge of the site and its lessee raises questions about the incident’s circumstances.

California Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin acknowledged that storage yards beneath highways are common not only in the state but also throughout the country. However, in light of the recent fire, he stated that the practice would be reevaluated to prevent similar incidents in the future.

As a precautionary measure, at least 16 homeless individuals who were living underneath the highway were evacuated and provided shelter. Officials have not found any immediate evidence suggesting that the fire originated from the encampment.

Mayor Bass expressed concerns about the long-term impact of the fire, comparing it to the damage caused by the Northridge earthquake in 1994, which flattened freeways in the area. She emphasized that the situation might not be resolved quickly, and the effects could be felt for an extended period.