Fire Closes 110 Freeway in Wilmington Tunnel
Fire in 110 Freeway Tunnel Leads to Lane Closures
LOS ANGELES – A fire that broke out inside a tunnel on the 110 Freeway has prompted significant disruptions, with all lanes closed in both directions. Firefighters are currently engaged in efforts to extinguish the blaze, which officials suspect was ignited by individuals residing in a nearby homeless encampment.
The incident occurred around 7:50 p.m. on Monday, May 4, as crews responded to reports of flames on the northbound side of the freeway. Initial investigations indicated that remnants of the fire were connected to activities of homeless individuals in the area.
In response to the emergency, the California Highway Patrol implemented a complete closure of the freeway between Harry Bridges Boulevard and Channel Street. While firefighting efforts advanced, challenges arose due to the confined space of the tunnel and the presence of combustible materials, including wooden structures.
As of Tuesday morning, firefighters reported that they had largely contained the blaze. However, officials anticipate that lane closures will persist throughout the day as crews continue to manage the situation.
Caltrans engineers were also deployed to assess the structure and integrity of the freeway following the fire.
"It’s really just a fire that we have to be patient with," said LAFD Assistant Chief Carlos Calvillo. "It’s too dangerous to put firefighters in the tunnel. You’re going into an environment where it’s venting, and conditions are very poor, with smoke banked all the way down to the ground."
The official cause of the fire remains under investigation, and further updates are expected as the situation develops.
