April 27--Both directions of the 710 Freeway were shut down on Sunday after a gasoline truck overturned and ignited, sending a plume of black smoke that was visible from miles away, authorities said.
The overturned truck was reported at 3:27 p.m. on the southbound 710 Freeway near Florence Avenue in Bell, said Cheryl Sims, a supervising dispatcher with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The northbound side of the 710 Freeway was closed at Florence Avenue, and the southbound side of the freeway was closed at Atlantic and Bandini boulevards, according to a spokesman for the California Highway Patrol, Officer Peter Bishop.
The truck was hauling two fuel tanks with about 8,500 gallons of gasoline when it toppled over, fire officials said.
The fire was contained by 4:30 p.m., officials said. No injuries were reported.
The Fire Department sent more than 50 firefighters to the scene, including teams trained in handling hazardous materials.
It's unclear what caused the truck to overturn.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
UPDATE
5:07 p.m.: This story has been updated with information that the fire has been contained.
This story was originally published at 4:15 p.m.
