Smoke from Tunnel Fire Fills Highland Park Sewers After Stolen Car Chase
High-Speed Pursuit in Highland Park Ends with Vehicle Fire
LOS ANGELES – A police chase involving a stolen vehicle escalated dramatically in Highland Park when the driver drove the car into the Arroyo Seco riverbed and set it ablaze. This incident has reignited concerns among residents about illegal activities and safety in the area’s underground drainage systems.
The pursuit began in Monrovia, where officers were tracking a stolen Kia. The driver maneuvered the vehicle into a tunnel opening near the 110 Freeway and Avenue 52 before abandoning it. Moments later, the car ignited, producing thick smoke that escaped through nearby manhole covers into the residential neighborhood.
The Los Angeles Fire Department swiftly contained the fire, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. However, the driver remains at large as authorities probe a series of vehicle fires in the Arroyo.
Local residents voiced their frustrations over the incident, noting it reflects a troubling trend. "It was very heavy plumes of smoke coming out of the sewer… this isn’t the first time," remarked a neighbor.
A local unhoused resident, who frequently seeks shelter near the tunnel entrance, highlighted that these tunnels are often used by those evading law enforcement.
The Mayor’s office issued a statement denouncing the reckless behavior associated with the incident: "These actions are reckless and Angelenos don’t deserve to live near these types of dangerous conditions. The mayor’s office is coordinating with LAPD and LAFD to hold these bad actors accountable."
As the search for the driver continues, city officials and law enforcement agencies are working together to address the hazardous conditions in the Arroyo and tackle the ongoing issue of stolen vehicles being incinerated in the drainage system.
