Crime & Safety

Exploding Overturned Fuel Tanker Closes 710

A tanker overturned on the 710, closing the freeway and sending up a plume of smoke that could be seen for miles.

A tanker truck loaded with gasoline tipped onto its side and burst into flames on the Long Beach (710) Freeway in Bell today, sending a plume of smoke seen for miles.

The tanker, which the Los Angeles County Fire Department reported was hauling 8,500 gallons of gasoline, overturned about 3:25 p.m. on the southbound side of the freeway near Florence Avenue, authorities said.

The rig’s driver was freed by firefighters but no injuries were reported, county fire dispatcher Cheryl Sims said.

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The fire -- which grew enough to require a second alarm -- was knocked down at 4:15 p.m., Sims said.

No other vehicles were involved, she said.

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The crash and fire shut down of all freeway lanes in both directions between Bandini Boulevard to the north and Florence Avenue to the south, the California Highway Patrol said.

Traffic was backed for miles, according to reports from the scene.

Neither side of the freeway was expected to be reopened before midnight, CHP Officer Peter Bishop said.

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