Massive Fire on Los Angeles I-10 to be Contained, Reopening in Time for Thanksgiving, Officials Confirm
I-10 in downtown Los Angeles damaged by fire to reopen on Tuesday, ahead of Thanksgiving Mayor and Governor confirm in a joint statement
An elevated portion of Interstate 10 in downtown Los Angeles, which was damaged by a massive fire last weekend, is set to reopen on Tuesday, two days before Thanksgiving Day, according to a joint statement from the city's mayor and California's governor on Thursday.
The timely reopening of this section of the highway, which sees over 300,000 drivers daily, comes just 10 days after the fire, surpassing previous repair estimates. This will help ease traffic congestion in the city during the busy holiday travel season.
"This is the outcome when we prioritize urgency and collaboration. Our aim is to eliminate any obstacles hindering the completion of the repairs and ensure that the freeway opens up in a completely safe condition," stated Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in a news release.
Earlier, California Gov. Gavin Newsom had estimated a duration of three to five weeks for the completion of the repairs.
"Working collaboratively with our federal and local counterparts, we have established a seamless 24/7 operation to ensure the timely opening of the 10 expressway. This crucial endeavor aims to preemptively address the surge of Thanksgiving traffic before it affects millions of Angelenos. I express my deep gratitude to the dedicated crews who are tirelessly working day and night to diligently repair the 10 expressway, expediting the resumption of traffic flow in Los Angeles within a matter of days instead of weeks."
A large fire of wood pallets at a lot south of downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, November 11.
OnScene.TV
A large pallet fire caused a significant traffic impact as authorities closed a section of Interstate 10 in Los Angeles. The fire originated in a storage yard measuring 200 by 200 feet before rapidly spreading beneath the interstate, according to fire officials.
Officials suspect that the fire was deliberately set, as stated by the state fire marshal and the governor. Investigators are currently working on identifying the person or people responsible.
Earlier this week, the state fire marshal, Daniel Berlant, expressed uncertainty regarding the number of individuals involved and encouraged anyone with information to reach out to the authorities. Berlant also mentioned that the state fire marshals office was still in the process of determining the cause of the fire.
Newsom stated on Monday that a preliminary examination confirmed that the fire was deliberately ignited with malicious intent. He further mentioned that certain initial leads have already been reported.
According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, the storage yard where the fire originated was strewn with pallets, trailers, and vehicles. Eventually, due to the wind, the fire spread beneath the freeway and reached the opposite side of the street, resulting in the complete incineration of a second storage facility.
Some vehicles were destroyed in the fire, and crews fended off the flames from nearby commercial buildings, officials have said. At the time, officials said no injuries were reported.
