Drone footage captures explosion in San Pedro after big rig overturns

A big rig containing lithium ion batteries overturned in San Pedro Thursday afternoon, sparking a fire that reportedly led at least one battery to explode.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said the crash occurred at 940 N. Seaside Ave., though aerial footage from Sky5 showed it created a huge backup on the 47 Freeway and Vincent Thomas Bridge.

“The batteries have been damaged, and are on fire and off-gassing (with reports of one battery exploding),” fire officials said in an alert. “LAFD Hazardous Materials specialists are on scene. Firefighters have created a large perimeter around the site and are in the defensive mode (keeping their distance with hose lines for protection).”

Drone footage, which can be viewed in the player above, obtained by KTLA showed the moment the big rig’s cargo of lithium batteries exploded.

Just before 4 p.m., California Highway Patrol announced on X, formerly Twitter, that the Vincent Thomas Bridge is closed in both directions at Terminal Island.

“Please avoid the VTB & the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge until the sig alert has been lifted,” authorities said .

Officials at Caltrans said they are coordinating with emergency responders at the scene, as well as the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to monitor the scene and assess the damage.

The Pacific Maritime Association, the agency that works in coordination with companies at the San Pedro Bay Port complex and submits daily orders for waterfront labor at the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach said in a statement that HAZMAT incident has significantly disrupted port operations.

“Our organization is taking direction from the Los Angeles Fire Department which has created a 1,000-foot radius zone from the fire in order to protect public safety,” the statement read in part.

PMA added that the lithium battery fire response has forced the temporary closure of several port terminals, including:

• APM Terminals (Pier 400)
• Fennix Marine Services (Pier 300)
• Everport Terminal Services
• Yusen Terminals
• PASHA TI
• Pier S and Pier A
• Total Terminals International

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