Fiery semitruck crash on 5 Freeway in East LA area closes multiple lanes, snarls traffic

EAST LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A fiery crash involving a semitruck on the 5 Freeway in the East Los Angeles area Saturday morning forced the closure of several lanes, authorities said.

The multi-vehicle collision occurred shortly after 3 a.m. on the southbound side of the freeway at Indiana Street, near Boyle Heights, according to the California Highway Patrol. Firefighters responded to the scene and doused dramatic flames that engulfed the big rig.

An ambulance was requested at the scene, but whether anyone was seriously injured in the collision was unclear.

The CHP issued a SigAlert that is expected to last several hours.

Traffic was backed up on the southbound side of the freeway as crews worked to clear the scene.