91 Freeway Shut Down Near 110 Freeway After Big Rig Overturns, Catches Fire

A big-rig overturned and caught on fire on the 91 Freeway in the Harbor Gateway area on Thursday afternoon, prompting lanes to be shut down in both directions.

Firefighters were called the scene just after 2:30 p.m., according to Katherine Main of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The vehicle overturned on the westbound 91 Freeway just east of the 110 Freeway (map), according to the California Highway Patrol’s online traffic incident log.

The incident occurred about 1 1/2 hours before President Obama was expected to arrive at Los Angeles International Airport, snarling traffic on the Westside, in Hollywood, Burbank and Santa Monica during his stay.

The eastbound 91 under the 110 Freeway and the southbound 110 transition to the eastbound 91 were expected to be closed for two hours, CHP’s Southern Division announced on Twitter about 3:30 p.m.

Traffic was being diverted off the eastbound 91 Freeway at Vermont Street, CHP stated in the log.

The westbound 91 Freeway at Figueroa Street was partially closed, the log stated.

A small fuel leak came from the overturned trailer, and firefighters were cleaning up the fuel after the fire was put out, Main said.

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