Bleach tanker overturns on westbound 105 Freeway, closes all lanes

A tanker truck carrying bleach overturned and caught fire early Saturday on the westbound 105 Freeway in South Los Angeles, prompting authorities to shut all westbound lanes for hazardous materials cleanup, according to the California Highway Patrol.

The crash forced the closure of all westbound lanes along a heavily traveled Los Angeles County corridor as hazmat specialists worked to contain spilled bleach on the roadway.

The crash occurred at 3:42 a.m. just east of Vermont Avenue when the tanker truck collided with another vehicle, according to City News Service. The impact caused the semitrailer to overturn and ignite.

The tanker was leaking liquid onto the roadway following the crash, the California Highway Patrol said. CHP issued a SigAlert — a traffic alert for an unplanned freeway event — at 4:14 a.m., closing all westbound lanes.

The Los Angeles Fire Department dispatched hazardous materials specialists to contain the spilled bleach, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. No timeline for lane reopening was immediately available as hazmat crews worked through the early morning.

At least one person was evaluated at the scene but declined hospital transport. CHP classified the crash as an injury incident.

Investigators were working to determine the cause of the initial collision between the two vehicles, CHP said. The westbound lanes remained closed as hazardous materials crews continued cleanup operations into the morning.