Governor Nome has declared a state of emergency after a major fire caused the indefinite shutdown of a busy stretch of the 10 freeway. More than 100 firefighters were called in to battle the blaze, which started in two storage yards filled with pallets. Due to the fire, traffic is closed on the eastbound side at Alamoo and on the westbound side at Santa Fe. The traffic is backed up for miles, and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is urging drivers to avoid the area and take side streets to bypass the detour. LA’s mayor has reached out to Washington DC for assistance. The fire broke out after midnight underneath the freeway on 14th Street, producing towering flames and thick smoke that filled the skies.
It quickly spread to a second yard, engulfing trailers, vehicles, pallets, and other materials. Housed people in the vicinity were seen evacuating the area. Over 100 firefighters fought the intense heat of the blaze, which posed significant danger and caused damage to the surrounding infrastructure. It took several hours for the firefighters to bring the fire under control.
Throughout the day, pockets of fire continued to smolder, requiring the use of an excavator to dismantle and shred the melted vehicles. Both the eastbound and westbound lanes of the 10 freeway will remain closed between Alam Street and Santa Fe Avenue until the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) can assess the extent of the damage. They have observed spalled concrete, which has flaked off the columns, and there are concerns about the compromised condition of the bridge deck. Caltrans will bring in a hazardous materials contractor to remove debris and allow structural engineers to evaluate the damage, but this process may not begin until Sunday afternoon. As a result, the freeway will remain closed indefinitely..
