Freeway Tunnel Remains Closed After Tanker Fire

This story was written by City News Service

A tunnel beneath the Golden State (5) and Glendale (2) freeway interchange remained closed Sunday morning more than 22 hours after a tanker truck flipped and caught fire, causing possible structural damage to the roadway, authorities said. As of 8:30 a.m., the tunnel remained closed, according to the California Department of Transportation's website. 

Los Angeles Fire Department investigators are working with local, state and federal environment officials and structural engineers to assess the damage.

The hazardous materials fire, which was reported at 10:31 a.m. Saturday, was concentrated in a tanker truck that was carrying up to 8,700 gallons of fuel.

That blaze and billowing black smoke closed parts of both freeways and tied up traffic for hours as thousands gathered for a game at nearby Dodger Stadium, city fire officials said.

The driver, identified by the California Highway Patrol as Jose A. Castanon, 52, of Bellflower, escaped with minor injuries.

City fire spokesman Brian Humphrey said Castanon told investigators he hit a guard rail as he approached the tunnel.

Following the crash, fuel was awash in storm drains and the Los Angeles River, fire officials said. About a quarter mile away, a large flow of flammable liquid was spotted emerging from a storm drain into the Los Angeles River and was observed by a fire helicopter pilot flowing about one mile downstream from there.

The liquid had been washed into flood control pipes by firefighting efforts, and officials worried about "backdraft conditions" where the volatile mixture was flowing out of the pipe.

Storm drains were becoming pressurized with flammable liquid and water, and firefighters called for police to clear the area.

Spot fires broke out along the storm drain between the tunnel and the river, in an area of the city traditionally called "Frogtown."

Interstate 5 was closed to southbound traffic for three hours at Fletcher Boulevard, and northbound traffic was closed at Stadium Way. The southbound 2 was also closed at its Fletcher Boulevard exit, and northbound 2 was closed from its terminus at Glendale Boulevard.

As the flames were extinguished by 1:15 p.m., the southbound 5 was reopened. But all northbound 5 traffic was being diverted onto the northbound 2, and traffic was severely backed up on freeways in the East Los Angeles Interchange and the downtown area.

At mid-afternoon, the tunnel connecting southbound 2 to southbound 5 remained closed as the wreckage and tunnel were examined. Northbound 5 traffic was being channeled onto the northbound 2 for a detour around Glendale.