Bay Area News Group
(TNS)
A semi-truck hauling oranges caught fire Friday morning on the Bay Bridge, forcing most westbound lanes of traffic to be temporarily shut down, the California Highway Patrol said.
Two of five traffic lanes remained closed as of 2 p.m. and a SigAlert remained in effect, the CHP said.
The fire started about 9 a.m. Friday apparently in the brake area underneath the trailer portion of the truck, which was going westbound on I-880 on the bridge east of Treasure Island, the CHP said.
The driver of the burning truck pulled over onto a right shoulder area.
Some people who stopped tried to use a fire extinguisher to put out the fire but were unsuccessful. By 9:14 a.m. the truck was fully engulfed in flames, with black smoke that could be seen for miles, officials said.
A SigAlert was issued moments later and lanes two through five were closed as San Francisco firefighters battled the fire. No injuries were reported.
The fire was brought under control a short time later and three lanes were reopened after that.
But according to CHP Officer Mark Andrews, the structural integrity of the trailer was compromised during the fire, making it more difficult to remove, which resulted in the extended closure of the two right lanes.
Caltrans workers were also on scene assisting with the removal of the burned oranges before it could be towed away by a heavy duty tow truck and the area could be cleaned up. The CHP said lanes could remained closed at least until 4 p.m. or so..
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
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