Commuters on the 101 Freeway in Encino experienced major delays after a box truck carrying propane tanks caught fire early Wednesday morning, officials said. According to NBC Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the incident around 8:30 a.m., which resulted in all eastbound lanes being closed. No injuries were initially reported as fire crews worked to contain the blaze.
Traveling on the eastbound 101 Freeway, first arriving companies found the box truck engulfed in flames, as detailed by the LAFD. The truck was reportedly diesel-powered and carrying multiple propane tanks, prompting a swift and sizable response from additional fire companies and the California Highway Patrol managing surrounding street closures.
The firefighting strategy involved a water shuttle that rotated several engines, each supplying water to the scene from nearby hydrants due to the freeway's location. As indicated by a follow-up alert, the effort successfully prevented the tanks from exploding. A total of nine 23-gallon propane tanks were monitored until they were fully emptied. The 20-foot box truck's flames were entirely extinguished after a 74-minute effort.
The LAFD announced the fire was fully extinguished by 9:48 a.m. Despite the critical situation, only one person—a 44-year-old male—suffered minor burns to his hands and was reported to have refused transport to the hospital.
