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Big rig overturns in San Pedro causing lithium-ion battery fire near the Port of Los Angeles

October 1, 2024

Lithium-ion battery fire breaks out after big rig overturns near the Port of Los Angeles

On Thursday, September 26, 2024, a semi-truck carrying lithium-ion batteries overturned near the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro, California.

According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the incident occurred at the intersection of North Seaside Avenue and South Navy Way, where the truck had been traveling on the CA-47.

As reported by the LAFD, the overturned trailer began emitting smoke, prompting an immediate response from fire crews.

Upon arrival, firefighters worked to secure the scene by halting traffic and keeping the roadway clear.

The hazardous nature of the cargo made the situation particularly challenging.

During the response, an explosion inside the container caused one side to burst open, with flames continuing to burn for several hours.

Firefighters made the decision not to use water on the fire to prevent hazardous materials from contaminating local waterways.

Relocation of the burning batteries

By Friday, September 27, 2024, LAFD developed a plan to relocate the burning lithium-ion batteries to a safer location.

The batteries were moved to a vacant rail yard on Terminal Island near LAFD Fire Station 40.

This area was chosen to minimize the impact on traffic and port operations while allowing the fire to burn safely.

The batteries were carefully transferred using heavy rescue vehicles and other machinery.

By 2:00 PM on September 27, the container had been successfully moved to the designated area.

This strategic decision was made to ensure that the batteries could continue their chemical reactions in a controlled environment.

Cleanup and reopening of the area

Following the relocation of the batteries, crews began cleaning up the affected roadway.

By the evening of September 27, the roadway was cleared, and normal traffic resumed in the area.

LAFD continued to monitor the situation at the rail yard to ensure the fire did not pose any further risks to the public or infrastructure.

No injuries were reported throughout the incident.

The coordination between LAFD, the Port of Los Angeles, and other agencies helped to manage the situation effectively, allowing the area to return to normal operations with minimal disruption.

Incident handover to the United States Coast Guard

On the morning of September 28, 2024, the LAFD officially handed control of the incident over to the United States Coast Guard.

With the scene stabilized and the batteries contained, the Coast Guard assumed responsibility for ongoing monitoring and any further required actions.

The LAFD cleared the scene and declared the situation resolved.

Lithium-ion battery fire breaks out after big rig overturns near the Port of Los Angeles: Summary

On September 26, 2024, a semi-truck carrying lithium-ion batteries overturned in San Pedro near the Port of Los Angeles.

The accident caused a fire that burned for days.

Firefighters responded swiftly, halting traffic and working to prevent hazardous materials from contaminating waterways.

By September 27, the burning batteries were relocated to a vacant rail yard to minimize disruptions to port operations.

Cleanup efforts were completed later that day, and the area reopened to traffic.

The LAFD handed over the incident to the United States Coast Guard on September 28.

No injuries were reported during the incident.

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