Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro reopens after semi carrying lithium-ion batteries catches fire
SAN PEDRO, Calif. (KABC) -- An overturned semi-truck carrying lithium ion batteries and the hazardous material it spilled on Terminal Island were removed Friday, allowing the 47 Freeway to be reopened.
Firefighters relocated the cargo to a secure location on Terminal Island and removed other hazardous materials affecting the roadway.
"We are glad that our firefighters were able to move this container without any incident," said LAFD Public Information Officer David Ortiz. "The fear we had was this may reignite, and we would have to drop it between where the accident occurred and where it's sitting now."
"It's a secured site where no workers will be around the toxic smoke it continues to smolder with," Ortiz said of the lot. "The accident site was inspected by the fire department and Caltrans and it was deemed safe. So all road closures have been lifted."
The rig overturned shortly before noon Thursday in the 900 block of North Seaside Avenue near the start of the freeway. The truck rolled on its side, and its cargo of lithium batteries caught fire.
WATCH: Video shows moment semi-truck carrying lithium-ion batteries explodes
Los Angeles Fire Department crews responded to the scene, but due to the burning lithium batteries, crews backed away and opted to let the fire burn itself out, noting that putting water on the blaze would have done little to actually fully douse the flames, and potentially cause more of an environmental hazard by sending contaminated water runoff into the ocean.
The fire burned through the day Thursday, and the cargo was continuing to emanate heat Friday while authorities considered options for addressing the hazard. There were no reports of injuries, and it was unclear what caused the
truck to roll on its side.
The Port of Los Angeles, combined with the neighboring Port of Long Beach, is one of the world's busiest cargo-handling complexes.
"Los Angeles Port Police and senior port officials are working with responding agencies, container terminal operators, union officials and other stakeholders to ensure safety and minimize disruptions,'' the Port of Los Angeles statement said.
The Battery fire incident at Navy Way in the Port of Los Angeles continued to impact operations at nearby terminals in the Port of Long Beach on Friday, according to a statement from the Port of Long Beach issued Friday.
"At this time it is not expected that the incident will greatly impact the flow of cargo at the Port of Long Beach,'' the Port of Long Beach statement said.
City News Service, Inc. contributed to this report.
