Firefighters Quell Major Rubbish Fire Along 10 Freeway

LOS ANGELES, CA — Firefighters Sunday quelled down a big rubbish and pallet fire burning under an off-ramp to the Santa Monica (10) Freeway in downtown Los Angeles. The fire slowed traffic in both directions due to a "zero-visibilty" environment.

Eighty-three firefighters were sent to the westbound freeway at 7:32 a.m. and had the blaze out by 8:51 a.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department reported. No injuries were reported.

"The large amount of pallets stored under the freeway created a challenge in reaching the seat of the fire," the LAFD's Margaret Stewart said. "Forklifts on scene were used to move the extinguished pallets so firefighters could continue to make their way in and fully extinguish the fire."

Instead of issuing a Sigalert, California Highway Patrol officers began holding up traffic at 7:36 a.m. to allow for firefighting efforts and released traffic at 8:17 a.m.

Arson investigators responded to the scene for a possible witness to the fire's cause, the department said.