Overturned big rig removed after battery fire, allowing Seaside Freeway to reopen

SAN PEDRO — An overturned big rig carrying lithium ion batteries and the hazardous material it spilled on Terminal Island were removed late Friday, allowing the Seaside (47) Freeway to be reopened.

Firefighters relocated the cargo to a secure location on Terminal Island and removed other hazardous materials affecting the roadway on Friday.

The rig overturned shortly before noon Thursday in the 900 block of North Seaside Avenue near the start of the freeway. The truck rolled on its side, and its cargo of lithium batteries caught fire.

Los Angeles Fire Department crews responded to the scene, but due to the burning lithium batteries, crews backed away and opted to let the fire burn itself out, noting that putting water on the blaze would have done little to actually fully douse the flames, and potentially cause more of an environmental hazard by sending contaminated water runoff into the ocean.

The fire burned through the day Thursday, and the cargo was continuing to emanate heat Friday while authorities considered options for addressing the hazard.

There were no reports of injuries, and it was unclear what caused the truck to roll on its side.

The Port of Los Angeles, combined with the neighboring Port of Long Beach, is one of the world’s busiest cargo-handling complexes.

“Port of Los Angeles operations have been impacted by an incident Thursday afternoon involving an overturned tractor-trailer carrying a load of lithium batteries,” the Port of Los Angeles announced in a statement. “The incident occurred near Ocean and Navy Way on Terminal Island. Traffic is being re-routed away from the area and all motorists are advised to use alternate routes.

“APM Terminals, Fenix Marine, Everport and Yusen Terminals will be closed Friday as local fire, hazmat and police agencies continue to work on scene. Trapac and West Basin Container Terminal will remain open, along with the World Cruise Center,” the Port of Los Angeles statement said.

“Los Angeles Port Police and senior port officials are working with responding agencies, container terminal operators, union officials and other stakeholders to ensure safety and minimize disruptions,” the Port of Los Angeles statement said.

The Battery fire incident at Navy Way in the Port of Los Angeles continued to impact operations at nearby terminals in the Port of Long Beach on Friday, according to a statement from the Port of Long Beach issued Friday.

The Port of Long Beach container terminals at Pier T and Pier A remained closed for the day shift — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — Friday due to proximity to the fire, the statement said. Port officials will reassess resumption of operations later.

All other container terminals were open on Friday.

“At this time it is not expected that the incident will greatly impact the flow of cargo at the Port of Long Beach,” the Port of Long Beach statement said.