A major highway near downtown Los Angeles was shut down in both directions after a fire rampaged through storage lots underneath it.
The blaze, which erupted early Saturday, sent high flames into the night and caused visible damage to the Interstate 10 overpass by morning, including warped guardrails and scorched concrete.
The California Department of Transportation dispatched teams to assess the damage and set up alternative routes to alleviate traffic congestion caused by the closure of Interstate 10, a key east-west artery, for at least 24 hours into Sunday. The origins of the fire remain unknown.
Governor Gavin Newsom of California responded to the crisis by declaring a state of emergency and instructing the state’s transportation department to seek federal aid.
He emphasized the state’s efforts to mobilize resources and expedite repairs to lessen the disruption for travelers in the Los Angeles area.
According to the fire department, the fire consumed trailers, wooden pallets, and other materials in storage lots on both sides of the freeway.
However, firefighters were able to protect three commercial buildings in proximity. Over 160 firefighters from 26 units tackled the fire, which covered an area equivalent to six football fields (8 acres or 3 hectares), damaging parked cars and a support structure for high-voltage power lines.
Fire department official Margaret Stewart reported that there were no injuries from the incident, and the fire was largely under control by late morning.
