Extended Coverage / Dramatic Photos & Link To Video
Freeway Inferno As Tanker Truck Ruptures On 91-E Transition To 710-N, Bursts Into Flames, Kills Driver, Sends Flaming Substance Into Drains And Black Smoke Skyward Visible From LB To L.A.
(June 14, 2009) -- A freeway inferno erupted late Saturday afternoon (June 13) when LBFD says a tanker truck impacted the side rail of the 91-E transition road to the 710-N, rupturing its tank, spilling flammable ethanol, bursting into flames, killing the truck's driver, sending the flaming substance into drains and producing black smoke visible from LB to L.A.
LBReport.com has reader photos, LBFD photos and video below (the latter courtesy of Fox11/MyFoxLA.com).
Photo credit: Ryan Wiegert
Photo credit: Ryan Wiegert
Photo credit: Ryan Wiegert
Photo credit: Ryan Wiegert
Photo credit: Ryan Wiegert
LBReport.com reader Ryan Wiegert, who captured the photos above says:
On scene. it was slightly surreal. The smoke was extremely heavy. Everyone in the neighborhood was there. From what you can see the flame was not very big, but it was very powerful. Very harsh smell. You knew it had to be more than a brush fire at the time because the smell was not of plants and more of rubber. The [LBFD firefighters] handled the situation very carefully...They took control of the fire and it was out fairly quickly.
LBFD PIO/Capt. Jackson says in a release that shortly before 6:00 p.m. [CHP says first reports began coming in about 5:45 p.m.], LBFD units were called to a report of an unknown type fire in the area of the 91 and 710 freeways. He continues:
Upon arrival Long Beach Engine 12 found a large tanker truck had impacted the side rail of the East bound 91 to the North bound 710 transition road and was fully involved in fire.
A huge fire ball enveloped the overpasses above due to the large quantity of ethanol that the tanker was carrying.
Numerous units from Long Beach Fire were assisted by units from Compton and LA County Fire Departments in an effort to control the blaze.
A literal river of fire flowed from the tanker into the storm drain and a nearby pumping station causing plumes of flame to erupt from other remote storm drains reaching 20 feet into the air.
LBFD photo
LBFD photo
The intensity of the fire was such that all that remained of the truck were its axles and small portions of the cab.
LBFD photo
LBFD photo
LBFD photo
LBFD photo
Large chunks of concrete also "spalled" or popped free from the transition road above due to the intense heat.
Sadly, the driver of the big rig perished in the accident.
The cause of this tragic accident is currently under investigation.
Structural engineers were called in to determine the structural integrity of the overpass as well as surrounding structures.
The Long Beach Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team responded in an effort to identify the product the driver was carrying and monitor for flammable vapors.
A total of 47 firefighters for from LBFD and 17 firefighters from assisting agencies responded to this incident.
Fox11 (MyFoxLA.com) had this report on its 10 p.m. news (included here with permission):
As the situation unfolded, LBReport.com provided CHP text reports of the accident, followed by an on-scene audio report from LBFD Public Information Officer Capt. Jackawa Jackson as CHP to shut down the 91 freeway and LBPD closed off Artesia Blvd. extending east and west of Atlantic Ave.
NLBCentral.com's Linda Ivers says smoke was very visible in NLB.
If you have photos and would like to share them with us; email them to mail@LBReport.com.
