Lithium Ion Battery Fire Shuts Down 47 Freeway
INCIDENT DATE/TIME: 9/26/24 11:58 a.m.
LOCATION: Seaside Avenue / Navy Way
AREA/CITY: Port of Los Angeles
DETAILS:
- A semi-truck carrying lithium-ion batteries overturned on the 47 Freeway at the intersection of Seaside Avenue and Navy Way.
- The batteries were damaged in the crash, with one catching fire and exploding.
- Fearing another explosion, officials put up a protective radius around the truck and shut down the 47 Freeway in both directions, including closing the Vincent Thomas Bridge.
- LAFD PIO Captain Adam VanGerpen said in an interview that the truck may burn for another 24 to 48 hours.
- The 47 Freeway is a major thoroughfare for the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach.
- The closing of the freeway has sent scores of commuter cars and semi trucks into the nearby LA neighborhood of Wilmington, jamming its streets.
- While plans are being made to move the batteries to a nearby empty field, according to VanGerpen, the truck will be left to burn in the intersection for now.
HANDLING AGENCIES: LAFD, LA Port Police, Long Beach FD
SOT(s): YES, LAFD PIO Captain Adam VanGerpen
Comments
