An electric school bus caught fire Wednesday morning under a Los Angeles freeway overpass and led to a hazardous materials response in the northern San Fernando Valley.
No injuries were reported in the fire under a section of the 210 Freeway in Lake View Terrace. Smoke billowed from under the overpass in the 11460 block of West Foothill Boulevard, near Hansen Dam.
No children were on the Los Angeles Unified School District bus. The driver was hospitalized for minor smoke inhalation, the LAFD said.
Details about a cause of the fire were not immediately available.
LAFD hazardous materials team members stayed at the scene to monitor air quality and water runoff after the fire was knocked down. The bus was powered by lithium ion batteries, which will need to be monitored for several hours, the LAFD said.
Nearby freeway ramps were closed for the cleanup.
Lithium-ion batteries have the potential of catching fire at a temperature of up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, making it difficult, if not impossible at times, for firefighters to put out the flames. When damaged and overheated, they can ignite and even explode. Residual heat can trigger a reaction that can lead to combustion, a danger that can develop over days, weeks or months.
In September 2024, a truckload of lithium ion batteries exploded and blew apart a cargo container that fell on its side in a big rig rollover crash near the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro. A fire burned for hours inside the trailer as firefighters and a hazardous materials team formed a perimeter around the area.
Allison Craig is a passionate sports writer and analyst with a deep love for game strategies, player performances, and the latest trends in the sports world. With years of experience covering football, basketball, tennis, and more, she delivers insightful analysis and engaging content for sports enthusiasts.
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