Massive Blaze Engulfs Los Angeles Freeway, Melting Guardrails and Damaging Responding Fire Trucks

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency after a massive fire engulfed a Los Angeles freeway in the early hours of Saturday morning, burning across eight acres of land.

More than 160 firefighters responded to the blaze which was first reported at a pallet yard shortly after midnight, according to KTLA. While three commercial buildings were saved, a nearby homeless encampment was forced to evacuate. 

“It's quite a large population of people experiencing homelessness living out here on these streets and RVs and makeshift homes, and they were all driven back by the heat but none of them luckily were injured,” said Los Angeles Fire Department public information officer David Ortiz, according to KNBC.

The blaze spread from the pallet yard to other storage yards, engulfing both sides of Los Angeles’ 14th street. Guardrails melted in the heat and the concrete columns which supported an overpass collapsed, according to KTLA.

The flames also destroyed a fire engine and several civilian vehicles, according to KABC. 

The 10 freeway will remain closed between Alameda Street and Santa Fe Avenue until crews can verify the overpass’ structural integrity.

“It is essential to complete repairs as quickly as possible to support the safe reopening of the freeway, given its importance as a transit route for motorists, emergency vehicles and commercial goods,” Newsom said in his emergency declaration, on Saturday.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confirmed that she had spoken to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, in a statement issued on Saturday.

“I have directed all city departments to immediately plan for how to address increased traffic due to this closure to best mitigate the impact on Angelenos,” she said. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No deaths or injuries have been reported.